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The Day John Lennon Died

Submitted by Lavender on Fri, 2024-04-19 00:16

I had lost a child just five days before,
a stillbirth, and so, time was already meaningless.
Hours bled into each other, and heavy thoughts
settled around me like a fog - cold and empty.

And then came such irrational news that December evening.
Dakota.
Shots fired.
The Catcher in the Rye.
Lennon, dead.

Many people heard the news while
watching a Monday night football game -
New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
Others woke the next morning only to be
numbed and confused. Deeply saddened.
Immensely sorrowed.

I remember hearing he had been doing well,
a happy father, a peaceful life,
an Annie Liebovitz photo shoot on that very day
that would speak volumes, quietly suffusing
the world with both love and loss.

What do we imagine when we grieve?
Nothing? Everything?
Someone forgot to wake us up again,
hold the heavy thoughts at bay,
rerun a football game without disruption
and let a legend simply live.

I sat in an empty nursery that night.
I don't recall imagining anything at all.

Style / type:

Free verse

Review Request (Intensity):

I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing stage:

Editing - rough draft

Contest:

Poetry Month 2024 Imagine

Content level:

Not Explicit Content

Comments

Geezer

Fri, 2024-04-19 09:49

I remember...

I was watching T.V. probably just finished the 11:00 p.m. news. On my way to the bathroom, I heard the newscaster say;
"John Lennon has been shot and killed outside of his Dakota residence. I forgot that I had to go... It took almost an hour for me to remember. I sat there, wondering why? Why would anyone shoot John Lennon? I was stunned and had to believe that maybe it wasn't true; maybe it was some insane joke. I think that you have captured the mood of the world well. What would
John have done if he hadn't been killed?
Imagine! I love this! Nothing that I would change. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Lavender

Fri, 2024-04-19 10:12

Hello, Geezer,

A completely unimaginable moment that stunned the world. Thank you, as always, for reading and sharing your thoughts and memories about this. One of those "Where were you when..."
L

author comment

William Lynn

Wed, 2024-04-24 11:09

Hi Lavender.

Although the song American Pie that spoke "the day the music died" was not referring to John, it is appropriate to think that it could have been.
I was among those watching football when they broke in for a news flash. Why, oh why?

Thanks for a wonderful poem. - Will

Lavender

Wed, 2024-04-24 11:32

Hello, William,

Yes, indeed...why? We all have our own recollection of what we were doing and going through that terrible day / evening.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
L

author comment

Mark

Mon, 2024-04-29 12:32