Nine Images of John Lennon

The day is darkening again;

Time is the true culprit

That measures our pain.

When evil blots out music

With that horrible stain,

I will summon nine images

Pure as the flame,

Nine times sunshine drowned the rain.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

I. Hamburg/Early Days

Posing with George for Astrid,

In leather, back to back.

Your wary gaze looks elsewhere.

Suited up by Brian,

Yet still so cool

You make a chair your throne.

You only pretend to be tough

To protect the wounded heart inside.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

II. A Hard Day’s Night

Who looks more like you than you do?

Four supposedly on top of the world,

Imprisoned in a train and a room and a car and a room.

Relying on wit and friendship

To stay sane in the madness.

When I need wordplay or a sharp retort,

I know whom to ask:

The ringleader.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

III. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Spoof

Fake blond wig,

Toothy smile,

And a gruff girl’s voice.

Dancing by Paul’s body,

Holding hands in your false death.

The Bard never imagined your spoof,

But like me, he would laugh.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

IV. Shea Stadium

This is the big one.

Fifty-five thousand

Screaming your name.

How do you answer?

By playing keyboard with your elbows,

Making George laugh

And “I’m Down” no downer.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

V. “Strawberry Fields Forever” Promotion Film

After long silence,

What are you up to?

Four faces changed, mature now,

And a haunting song.

Ghost-like, your images fade into each other

While American Bandstand watches.

A masterpiece played for teenagers --

Who only care about your hair.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

VI. The Honeymoon Bed-In

Christ-like in long hair and beard,

In white, dancing in the airport with Yoko.

Laying in bed at the hotel,

Talking to reporters,

Searching for hair peace.

Two clowns for a cause;

Two lovers remade into virgins.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

VII. The Rooftop Concert

Winter’s four-fold discontent

Broke once, as you ascended

As five to the roof.

A noonday surprise

For police and passersby.

Smiling, making music into magic

Live for the last time.

Hello, goodbye.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

VIII. With Sean

Storms of anger,

Wounds from the past,

A wild, lost, weekend,

Guitars and gold records,

All put aside

To receive the future’s gift:

A son.

West traveled the world

To meet the East,

And in their offspring

Find an inner peace.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

IX. Rolling Stone Cover

Back to the egg –

And as bare.

Your story begins fresh with each telling.

You contain everything that ever was within you.

But of all the roles you ever played –

Rebel, musician, artist,

Leader, husband, father –

The one role you were never allowed to play

Was human.

Music to silence,

Rock ground down to dust;

When all proves mortal,

In what can you trust?

I bring you these images

Not for comfort –

Comfort clouds truth

And ignores evil –

But to remind you

Where an oak grew once

A million flowers grow.

We are here; it is now:

Breathe. Rejoice. Live.

Music, still my tears;

Rock, my soul defend.

To violence and mourning

Let there be an end.