Evelyn Mchale

This is an elegy for a famous suicide from New York in the 1940's whose glamorous death photo was in Life Magazine. - Chris Reilley


EVELYN MCHALE

You always were a shining star
despite what you were always told
Stay just the way you are,
never ever let yourself grow old.

Though your heart was truly scarred
by what you thought they thought
Your exit choice was just too hard
to win the fight that you fought.

And how am I to simply carry on?
I am undone by your last faithless leap.
No flowers in fields, no manicured lawn
Your memorial is all that is left to keep.

You held your beauty even in death
your style was yet quite committed,
And with your final mint-sweet breath
your apologies you scarcely omitted.

How I wish I had known how to hold your heart
With the grace and the love it deserved
For now we are fated to forever be apart
as the track of your life’s ending swerved.

Would that I could undo your last deed
And walk with you under warm summer skies.
If only I was able to answer the cold need
that I still see in your death-dimmed eyes.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
April 24, 2014 at 8:34 AM
This is a heart wrenching piece. My favorite so far. Congratulations on your artistry, win and most of all your special heart. I am so sorry for your loss.
Mehta Avatar
April 24, 2014 at 8:13 AM
Very apt perspective. Congratulations on the win, christopher
A. Sharma Avatar
April 24, 2014 at 1:50 AM
Heartfelt n touching really ,,, great poem Christopher,, well deserved great win , congrats !
A   Avatar
April 23, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Christopher, congratulations...Linda
Deschler Avatar
April 23, 2014 at 10:07 PM
A very tragic, yet touching story that was beautifully told here, Chris. Great rhyme and a smooth word flow, as well. Congrats on your win in my contest!
Kendrick Avatar
April 17, 2014 at 6:45 AM
A poem honoring someone who you remember as being great..I enjoyed reading it today..Welcome to soup..I hope that your stay is long with many more great post..Sara
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