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1965

by Chris Sorrenti


Lennon is dead
the papers shout
the radio pouts
Maybe no one like him
five years after
ten years later
The world getting colder

I’ve never seen it this way before

Bringing me back to 1965
eight years old
walking open mouthed
across a baseball diamond
A dozen girls
nine and ten years old
standing on the bleachers
singing every word to
I Want To Hold Your Hand

I’d never seen it that way before

And so Lennon is dead
gone forever
but not forgotten
Perhaps time for someone new
to change the world
continue on what Lennon started
Learn to love as never before

like in 1965

© 1980

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02/09/2014

Author's Note: It was 50 years ago today (Feb. 9, 1964), Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play on the Ed Sullivan Show. And I watched it on my parents' big old black and white Fleetwood console TV. Although The Beatles were a major influence on my writing, I haven’t written that many poems about them, so in celebration of this anniversary, here’s one of the few, even though it partially takes place in 1965. I also remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard that Lennon had been murdered.

Posted on 02/09/2014
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 02/09/14 at 10:33 PM

I recall the news of Lennon's death but couldn't tell you where I was. (not being a fan of his or the Beatles). Yours is a great expression of respect and admiration of the man and his accomplishments.

Posted by Johnny Crimson on 02/10/14 at 01:56 PM

"We'd like to take you home with us, we'd love to take you home." :)

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 02/10/14 at 02:46 PM

this poem is so warm, so genuine, to recall such a figure as is rare found on this earth, who actually makes a hash mark upon the human soul and then is lost to us, too soon, too soon, before we have fully absorbed the lesson, the loss of which leave many confounded and bewildered in the wake. why anyone could think to snuff and wrest such love on which the human weans, is beyond comprehension.

Posted by Ronald A Pavellas on 02/12/14 at 10:50 AM

Thanks for the reminder. So much lovely poetry put to music accessible to so many. I remember the days well.

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