Tuesday, October 21, 2008

ABC Wednesday - N

When the Beatles released Nowhere Man in 1965 (on the LP Rubber Soul), it was said that it came out of the philosophical soul-searching musings of John Lennon, although John himself apparently said it was the end result of an uninspired night of failed song-writing. You can read what you like into the words, but when I was going through Beatles songs beginning with 'N', and came to Nowhere Man, one person sprang into my mind. It was the title rather than the lyrics that made me think of him although most of the words fit him well too.

My Nowhere Man is a drunk. He sleeps under a bush in the park or in the cemetery, in a grave if there's one available. He comes to Zac's for bible study every Tuesday and is always the first to read aloud. As soon as he's read, he usually goes out for a cigarette, because, 'Sean, you just goes on too much.'

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.

The only line that doesn't fit is the first one. My Nowhere Man most definitely has a point of view to the point of drunken arrogance on times. But he doesn't know where he's going.

You can't help but wonder what his past is, and fear what his future will be.

To take part in ABC Wednesday, go here.
xx

22 comments:

Unknown said...

I am going to pray for him tonight! I hope your week is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

We are all "nowhere man" until we connect with the one who paved the way to "somewhere" for us! I always love to come here and see what the Beatles tune of the week will be, Liz! Blessings.

Puss-in-Boots said...

I always thought the words to Nowhere Man were musings of John Lennon, or perhaps about someone he knew...maybe even himself at some stage. It's a haunting melody.

Anonymous said...

A good choice in your theme within a theme - and thoughtful.
People are unfathomable. But you must seem like a bright flame in the night to them.

Bear Naked said...

My favourite Beatle tune.

Bear((( )))

jmb said...

A very sad story in one way but in another way it shows that Zac's does make a difference for your "nowhere man". Something to look forward to each week. So he has somewhere, if only for a short while.

Rune Eide said...

We all make our own parts - the problem is that we are not always allowed by the rest of the human race to play the part we want. That might be good or it might be bad. It is called society.

Suburbia said...

Brilliant post . You do such great stuff there Liz. I admire you a lot. What will be his future? I'm not the praying sort but sometimes there seems little else to do.

Reader Wil said...

Good post. There are too many nowhere men, and women too, around. Recently I have attended an evening about roofless and homeless people. They are often drug addicts or drunks. But all of them are grateful when some organization helps them. Some of them stay clean, but others relapse into their former habits.
The majority of them is sick.
Thanks for this post.

Dragonstar said...

Prayer seems the only way out for him, but Zac's gives him a reason to be.
Excellent thoughtful post.

Unknown said...

Liz, I’ve met a few such “nowhere men” and at least two “nowhere women” through the years. Each has impressed with his/her intelligence, egocentricity, and inflexibility.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Cleverely done again.

dianasfaria.com said...

interesting man you write about, very colorful.

CherryPie said...

A sad story, but a very good entry for the theme :-)

nonizamboni said...

Very interesting post and use of Nowhere Man--you actually put a face on a concept. Thanks for sharing this and giving me something to be thankful for.
Happy Wednesday!

Neva said...

Nice post.....

Rose said...

A great post, Liz. I think many people are "nowhere men" even if they have a place to sleep each night. You and the staff at Zac's are doing such wonderful work.

Tash said...

very thought provoking "N". Thx much.

Miss_Yves said...

Moving post !
I kNow this famous song: I sang it within a Choir !
Miss Yves

Anonymous said...

I think that's the most original 'N' post ever!

We had a nowhere man here in the city for many years. He'd always be around .. somewhere. He slept in a bus shelter and wore ALL his clothes, it seemed. The council wanted to 'evict' him, but despite being filthy, smelly, and not particularly social, he must have had something because the locals petitioned the council and he was allowed to stay.

One winter he disappeared. We all thought the worst, but it turned out that someone from social services had persuaded him to go into sheltered accommodation. He was not a young man.

I often wonder what happened to him.

Dragonstar said...

Hi from a fellow ABC team member!
I'm sure we all appreciate the amount of thought that goes into your weekly posts. Thank you.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

That was a very thoughtful and thought provoking post.