Eveline's Tears:

With attribution to James Joyce and Smokey Robinson and the Imperials

Eveline’s Tears: 

Tongue in cheek with pursed lips

trying to right a sinking ship

tears on the window 

shadows on the wall

sets up the dominoes

for a final fall.

Eveline’s leaving for Argentina

James hypes up her leaving

organ grinder music

takes the stage

and Frank’s a liar

about Buenos Aires.

Human tragedy as market fair

often more than we can bear

Tears on the pillow

pain in my heart

Smokey and Imperials

said it best.

Author's Note

i'm more of a music lyric kind of guy rather than market prose.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I like the music lyrics and the flow of it...especially those golden oldies.... this piece is very melancholic; saying goodbye to your love is a bittersweet emotion, but using the words of the "greats" makes it even more of a "tear-jerkier....."nice work Carl....
Warmly, B

[carl]

thanks for the read and review it came about after reading a story by Joyce and as things often do it brought lyrics into my mind and ( i'm more of a music lyric kind of guy rather than market prose. ) -carl

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Carl
Warmly
B🌷

[Marie]

Little Anthony & The Imperials and also Johnny Nash came to mind when I came to the final three lines in the poem, Carl. They both sang the sang "Tears On My Pillow", which I loved when I was growing up! Written by Sylvester Bradford and Al Lewis in 1958. A wonderful song! I love this poem, it imparts how we fail in trying to right the impossible and it results in tears. A very lyrical write which I so enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing, Carl... Lovely work!

[carl]

thank you for the read and review and the encouragement - listened to a lot of Doo Wop as a teenager and still from time to time. Have read very little of Joyce and somehow the two just seemed to suggest the idea for a poem - carl

[Marie]

Most welcome, Carl... Wishing you a very nice evening...
Ps/ I still listen to it too and love it as much now as I did back then :))

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i like how this piece shifts in structure. some of it reads like a sonnet, but then it suddenly takes a conversational tone. it has the lyrcisim of Joyce's writing, and reading it brightened my mood. and while i have never heard of Smokey and Imperials, i can tell what they mean to you. everybody has their favorite band and a list of songs that speaks how they feel. i might go and put on a few records and reminisce.

[carl]

Thank you for the read and review and the close critique of the poem - much appreciated - Smokey Robinson was a Doo Wop singer from my teen years and why his song came to mind after reading Joyce, I have no idea, just seem to happen. Be well and thanks again - carl