Richard Cory*

(With further apologies to Edwin Arlington Robinson)**

Richard Cory had it all:
Riches, charm and grace,
and had what girls often call:
A very handsome face.

He had a very pleasant way,
humane in how he spoke.
Never had bad things to say,
to us, he knew were broke.

In fact, none spoke an evil word,
They always wished him well.
For him the lines were always blurred,
as far as I could tell.

And still my petty pride condoned
a smile when someone said,
that Richard Cory last night went home
and put a bullet through his head.

Author notes

*The original Richard Cory was written by Edwin Arlington Robinson
**Paul Simon wrote a lyrical sequel also called, Richard Cory and wrote at the beginning, "With apologies to E.A. Robinson."

All three versions look at Cory's death from a different perspective.