The Mysterious Eleanor Rigby

Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie
   Oh, so lonely -- Where do such people come from
They come from all walks of life, from the priesthood
   on down to the hangers-on at village churches

And where do they all belong?  -- In a desiccated church
   where Father McKenzie preaches sermons that no one hears
and Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice thrown at others' weddings,
   surely lamenting her own lonely, dreamlike existence...

They belong together, but Church doctrine, frustratingly, keeps them apart
   this lonely woman with the happy face, concealing the ache deep inside
and the devoted priest, so determined to look ministerial, to deliver a sermon
   for no audience, that no one will hear, that will save no one...

So many lonely people in society today, like Eleanor Rigby
   people who come from nowhere, whose contributions go unrecognized
and who return to nowhere, buried along with their names --
   Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...


                     August 08,  
   Eleanor Rigby Who was she Poetry Contest 
               Sponsor: Jerry T. Curtis
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Faulkner Avatar
August 9, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Such a great tribute to the Beatles song, I really like the line 'the lonely woman with the happy face' - you never really know who the real person is sometimes-
Laurie Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 7:26 PM
Hello Gershon … well done. A verse that jogs the memory of that great Beatles song, so I can hear the tune, and then the message to finish off - great - Lindsay
Wolf Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Alright, Lindsay. Glad this one brought back some good memories. ~ gw
Thompson Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 3:12 PM
Absolutely brilliant Gershon. My favourite poem of yours. I was born in Liverpool and my Mum used to go watch The Beatles at the cavern, even before they were famous! You have summed up this character perfectly. Excellent! Ron
Wolf Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 3:26 PM
How much do I owe you, Ron?! I was actually wondering I should even have posted this or not. Good thing I did, I guess. Thanks for all the enthusiasm. Best wishes, Gershon
Rodrigues Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Excellent! Nicely done!
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