7. Poetry: The Horrible End of Roseann Quinn
Roseann Quinn
original post 4/16/07 This morning Roseann Quinn popped into my head, another friend I failed to mention on my list of losses.
Maybe it’s because the weather has been so lousy, raining in torrents. Or maybe the sky is still crying for Rosie. I do.
Her sensational murder in 1973 led the way to Judith Rossner’s book, “Looking For Mr. Goodbar.” A movie followed after.
I just remember Rosie’s laugh and humor, her post-polio limp, and her great sense of fun.
Rest in Peace, sweet girl.
For Roseann Quinn
©2002 by the author, all rights reserved
I can still see your post-hippy days
funny face,
hear your laugh,
recall your curly, wild Irish red hair
and your funky clothes;
the knit hat and scarf
of browns and yellows,
the granny glasses,
the funny, fuzzy, fake, fur coat,
And how we sat together
in graduate classes at Hunter
in the evenings in 1970.
You had a limp
I later learned was from
childhood polio,
you had humor that released you
from your childhood of religious bondage,
You lifted me with stories,
Like the one of the deaf child in your class
at St. Joseph’s in the Bronx:
You told him there would be a party
in school,
and the little boy
dutifully
brought in his contribution:
a bottle of his dad’s
best booze.
Or maybe it was cerveza?
You were thin and young,
lanky, boney, bent,
mini-skirted,
upper West sided
and in your twenties.
About to die.
Judith Rossner wrote a book
about you: Looking for Mr. Good Bar.
And then there was the movie.
The theatres were packed,
the audience watched,
never realizing
you were real.
That as
Diane Keaton (you),
and Richard Gere (him)
fucked in the single-girl bed,
and she (you), yelled “Sweet Jesus” when she (you) climaxed,
escaping her (your) strict Catholic dogma
that you,
funny little Rosie,
were
real.
That on New Year’s Day, 1973
he, John Wayne Wilson, tore your, Roseann Quinn,
soul, with sharp objects
and crushed your skull and face,
sweet Rosie,
with the heavy bust someone had sculpted of you,
that you kept near your bed,
that you were real, and funny and adorable, but
the police could not tell if you had a face
or how long you existed.
And that we voyeurs left the movie,
our hands damp with tears
and blood,
because we knew you,
or knew others like you,
who met grifters in bars
and took them home.
And that you were real.
This one’s for you, kid.
 |
starfishred wrote on Apr 8, ’08
That movie is hard to forget thanks very good loss seems to be in the air these days.
|
|
danceinsilence wrote on Apr 8, ’08
The book, the film … all of it … fact and a shocking time then when the film hit the big screen.
Sadly, for her, for Roseann Quinn, she cannot be here today to express her own life, her own grief, but through you … you have done that for her. Exceptionally well done. Thanks for sharing part of you that must have been painfully difficult for you to do. Rememberibng a friend like this is a sign of a friendship still carried. Thanks, sans. |
|
bostonsdandd wrote on Apr 8, ’08
I remember seeing the movie on the sly from my parents. I don’t remember how old I was, but I was too young to watch the movie. I was spellbound when I found it she was a real life person. To have known her must have been a gift because you have done her memory so much justice with this poem. I was with you when you cried your tears while writing. I LOVE that about you! You get us INTO the poem.
Thanks Sans for another brilliant poem! |
|
lauritasita wrote on Apr 8, ’08, edited on Apr 8, ’08
I don’t remember if you told me you knew her. So sad. I did see the movie with Diane Keaton, and I remember the ending was so hard to watch. She sounded like such a nice person. I’m sorry her life ended in such tragedy. The poem you wrote is a great tribute to her.
|
|
lonewolfwithin wrote on Apr 8, ’08
wow… i remember when i saw “Looking For Mr Goodbar”… this post has really brought back what i’d nearly forgotten about her… Rosanne Quinn was a good woman…
|
|
tulipsinspring wrote on Apr 8, ’08
I remember this from 360, and it still breaks my heart. This is a lovely tribute to your friend. Somehow, somewhere, I think she hears your words and appreciates them. Thank you for sharing this with us. Hugsssssss.
|
|
Such a terrible loss from someone just looking for someone to be with. I watched this movie and cried for days afterward, thinking how easy it could happen then, and now. If I watch it again, it will have a different feel knowing she was a friend of yours, but I don’t think I could bare her loss in the movie again. My heartfelt sorrow to you for the loss of your friend. Wonderful poem.
|
|
knightstar wrote on Apr 8, ’08
Women, some of whom I know only online and others from “real life”, sometimes tell me about some guy they just met online. I tell them to use wisdom and caution in dealing with a stranger, to meet him initially only in public places, to introduce him to family and friends, to find out something about his grounding. They assure me that he’s all right; they can tell about these sorts of things. I ask them if they’ve ever seen the movie, Looking For Mr. Goodbar. They shrug it off and say, very funny. I tell them, I’m serious. It almost seems to me that in their quest for contact with a man, some otherwise intelligent women will throw caution to the wind, regardless of what you say to them.
–M |
|
|
sanssouciblogs wrote on Apr 8, ’08
So many years have passed, we wee different people in the ’70’s, come out of the wild 60’s, hippies, establishment, free-love. She was only in her 20’s, she was so FUNNY, so full of life, had overcome so many physical obstacles. I was teaching the deaf in Manhattan and some single teachers at my school went skiing, I believe, over Christmas vacation. She wanted to go back to the city early and left against their telling her to stay. If only… the whole school was in an uproar when we got back from break. |
|
philsgal7759 wrote on Apr 9, ’08
You knew her? Wow As always you make me feel as if I have entered a part of your life THANK YOU
PLEASE JOIN ME FOR THE THEATER THURSDAY TOUR: http://philsgal7759.multiply.com/journal/item/210 |
|
sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Apr 9, ’08
I had no idea this movie “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” was actually based on a real life event. I simply cannot imagine seeig a movie about the life of a personal friend on the big screen especially when she died such a tragic death! I rather think Rosie is looking down and smiling on this poem…yes, this is the stuff of good memories! I am sorry for your loss. :(.
|
|
butlerdidit2 wrote on Apr 9, ’08
I did remember her; the event ; the book; the movie. It was an unbelievable crime of hate! I too grew up in this period and it made me much more cautious and aware of places and people. Your friend, the “only ifs”….such a waste of a fine individual! Your poem is a beautiful and loving tribute to her.
|
|
greenwytch wrote on Apr 9, ’08
absolutely wonderful. thank you.
|
|
asolotraveler wrote on Apr 9, ’08
what a time it was, what a time …. you(she) memorialized… and to think you (she) knew her (you)
|
|
And then there was the movie. “The theaters were packed, the audience watched, never realizing you were real.”
Sadly i was one of those people who didn’t know she was real… I vaguely recall having some sense it was based on a real person but it never clicked until now… Thanks Sans for guiding me here and for allowing all of us to hear your personal tribute to your friend Seth |
Comments
(16 total) Post a Comment
Oh, I love your creativity… Great book, great movie. Diane Keaton is one of my all-time american favourites. Whatever happened to her?
Monday April 16, 2007 – 12:20pm (CDT)
To who, Diane Keaton? She’s been in a few movies lately, comedies, you can find them on the Internet Movie Data Base IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000473/
Monday April 16, 2007 – 01:24pm (EDT)
A moving memorial to someone who obviously marked your life… Reality is stranger than fiction, infinitely more various and amazingly surprising.
Tuesday May 8, 2007 – 01:42pm (EST)
Looking for Mr Goodbar, WOW! Seems like yesterday! RIP Roseann Quinn! Great post Sue, thanks for sharing the memories!
Saturday July 21, 2007 – 06:34am (CDT)
Funny I remember this very well, you have some great stories those were and still are incredible times I wonder what will be said of those times 100 years from now
Tuesday July 24, 2007 – 08:27pm (PDT)
I didn’t realise the story was true and didn’t read the book but did see the movie. I wish I had known the true story before hand though because knowing makes one look at what’s happening on screen differently. I can’ t even remember if I liked it or not. Maybe I’ll read the book if I can find it. At least there is someone who still remembers Roaeann Quinn, they say you haven’t died if at least one person remembers you.
Wednesday July 25, 2007 – 04:31pm (NZST)
very memorial, dear Sans…seems that person is great and the poem is more greater…though I dont know about her…
Wednesday July 25, 2007 – 04:33pm (EEST)
Scary stuff — great tribute; sis!!!!
Wednesday July 25, 2007 – 07:28am (PDT)
I’ve seen the movie, but I had no idea who it was based on, and I’ve never heard the story behind it. I am horrified, and so sad for you that you lost your friend in such a terrible way. Your tribute to her was absolutely beautiful. It shows who she was, how she lived, and, as you said, that she was real. It’s heartbreaking, and I think you have given your friend a real gift in writing this. Many hugs!!!!
Wednesday July 25, 2007 – 05:32pm (EDT)
I have a chuckle with this one: “you had humor that released you from your childhood of religious bondage,” Thanks for sharing. Beautiful, beautiful tribute. <hugs>
Wednesday July 25, 2007 – 06:55pm (PDT)
You know, I never saw that movie….but I want to see it now. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I too have lost many dear friends, some in very tragic ways, so I do understand…. Your poem was a nice tribute to her spirit….may she rest in peace.
Thursday July 26, 2007 – 12:59pm (EDT)
Don’t think I ever saw that movie but if I do now I’ll know there is a real person behind it. Nice tribute!
Thursday July 26, 2007 – 06:54pm (EDT)
Wow, i did see that movie and remember how upset i was, it scared the bejeebies out of me. now i find out my good friend knew her real well. you amaze me all the time.
Thursday July 26, 2007 – 07:37pm (EDT)
Sue – I had chills running up and down my spine as I read this poem. It’s so easy to leave a theater or put down a book and forget the story we just finished watching or reading. When it is a story so close and personal, as this one is to you, I can see the need to say: it isn’t fiction! It really happened! Don’t sweep the story under the rug and forget about it! It is a beautiful tribute to your friend, Sue. I, certainly, wont be able to forget who Roseanne Quinn was, after reading your lovely poem.
Thursday July 26, 2007 – 09:26pm (CDT)
u run in wide circles, circles that ward off midwestern yokels like me who can only see and feel and know with the historical guts we bring on each car ride through the bronx and down the fdr along the river, past the sludge and gripe…we fish thinking it is better upstream but yearning for the rows of corn where fucking is safe as long as it involes one M and one F…. congrats ss…
Saturday July 28, 2007 – 11:18am (CDT)
Hmmm…took a few readings to appreciate it. Obviously the subject means a lot to you, and that’s the essence of a good poem. As tribute poems go, it’s really good. I remember the film – one of the great ‘tension builders’ in movie history. must have been weird watching the life story of a friend portrayed like that. Nice blog (Great song by the way – seem to have heard it before….or is it Deja Vous?)
Saturday July 28, 2007 – 08:01pm (BST)