Anniversary of John Lennon's Death
Writing is about responding, so here
goes...
So I'm at the gym and I'm making my feet go round
and round and my arms pump back and forth in a row of a bunch of people doing
the same. And we're all pointed at three TVs, which is not always good for my
mental health, but then, today, in the midst of gunnings and interventions and
Christmas commercials, there was a breath of fresh
ozone.
John Lennon. Today is the
anniversary of his death.
Watching the
montage of news clips I felt uplifted and not a bit sad. Don't get me wrong,
John Lennon's murder was tragic and obscene, but what I saw on that screen is
something so rare and wonderful, in its face, death was neither here nor
there.
I saw a fully actualized human
being. And I'm not saying John Lennon was perfect. I'm sure he wasn't. I'm sure
if I were to read any of the authorized or not so authorized biographies I would
learn much more than I ever wanted to know about
that.
And don't take my word for it,
see if you see it yourself. John and Yoko walking. John and Yoko spooning on the
cover of Rolling Stone. John and Yoko looking at each other. So self-possessed.
So unflappable. So quietly powerful. I wish I could have just sat in his
presence.
I'm talking about a depth of
self-knowledge that just doesn't emanate from celebrities today. Perhaps the
media doesn't give celebrities enough space anymore. But John Lennon had touched
it, cosmic consciousness, and he was orbiting in
it.
I guess that's what I'm trying to
say. I'm pretty sure John Lennon was a holy man. And he was also an artist and
the devoted partner of a creative wife. And I always like to see that, though
it's rare today, still way too rare. What the world needs now, quite possibly,
are more creative couples like John and
Yoko.
And here's a final, somewhat
secret reason I like John and Yoko. She was older than he and their age
difference was the same as mine and my husband, Jason. I can't help loving
that.
So, I'm going to celebrate John
Lennon today. I'm going to play some Beatles music and turn on the radio and
listen to what folks have to say about
him.
It's hope I'm after. And I'm going
to supersize mine today thanks to John
Lennon.
Thank you, John
Lennon.
Posted: Thu - December
8, 2005 at 08:37 AM
