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
Cobbled traces ankle-turn the December night,
hobbling church goer's on sleet-covered streets.
Lines of warblers rise at the sides,
confined side walkers avoid the car play.
Wet headed wanderers, at large in the dark,
set chill chapped hands to their wind-burned cheeks.
Off key, they carol from the quay to the close
Three Kings rings out joyous from post to lamp post.
Through honeyed light and the nave’s open door
to hear the Domspatzen, the church sparrows, sing.
Boys and young men porcelain in candlelight,
rois without queens, one race, one sex, employed.
Brilliant as finger rubbed glasses, they trill;
we're silent: in sound wrapped, close-eyed, waylaid.
Each dulcet tone blends with organ and bow
teaching church doctrine with tenor and alto.
Published by Page & Spine Winter 2016
Let Them Marry?
By Elton Camp
If gays should be allowed to marry or not
Has put a lot of people into an ethical spot
Separate from religion the state should be
How it can legally be banned is hard to see
To the convictions of most, it flies in the face
Having been reared to call it a vile disgrace
But should church doctrine by law be forced
Does that mean that religion is thus endorsed
When you marry, it’s harder to go your way
If you do, it’s alimony you may have to pay
Spouses are responsible for a legal mate’s debt
That’s a pretty bad position in which to get
If you decide the marriage was a bad mistake
Legal action to dissolve it you have to take
Unwed gay partners haven’t problems like these
They can simply walk away anytime they please
It makes me wonder if maybe some gay cuss
Has the right to be miserable like the rest of us