deepundergroundpoetry.com
John (when he was Winston) Lennon
Who were you, really,
back then,
before you were Ono.
It was well known
what you’d been born into.
A family of strong women.
The aunties, sisters bonded
stronger than any men were
even from the Mersey docks.
Julia was the wild one;
seashell eyes, windy smile.
No, that was Yoko;
we’re not going there.
Art student, played Skiffle,
worshiped Mr Hips Swivelin’,
dated and bedded a blond.
Had to be a blond, like Bardo.
She an artist from the right side,
and the last thing you’d
admit to was being posh.
Traitor. Eventually.
Bloody daft if anyone
mistook you for anything
than working class.
With winkle-picker shoes
and zip-up leather jacket,
greased hair & sideboards,
with the gaunt look of youth
as a northerner born privileged,
and passing for a teddy boy
‘‘No, I’m a mocker!’’
Even Cynthia had said
if she had it to do over again,
she would turn and walk away.
back then,
before you were Ono.
It was well known
what you’d been born into.
A family of strong women.
The aunties, sisters bonded
stronger than any men were
even from the Mersey docks.
Julia was the wild one;
seashell eyes, windy smile.
No, that was Yoko;
we’re not going there.
Art student, played Skiffle,
worshiped Mr Hips Swivelin’,
dated and bedded a blond.
Had to be a blond, like Bardo.
She an artist from the right side,
and the last thing you’d
admit to was being posh.
Traitor. Eventually.
Bloody daft if anyone
mistook you for anything
than working class.
With winkle-picker shoes
and zip-up leather jacket,
greased hair & sideboards,
with the gaunt look of youth
as a northerner born privileged,
and passing for a teddy boy
‘‘No, I’m a mocker!’’
Even Cynthia had said
if she had it to do over again,
she would turn and walk away.
Published 10th Oct 2018
Author's Note
• For the DUP competition “A Conversation With:“
•‘‘No, I’m a mocker!’’ is a line Ringo said in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ when asked “Are you a Mod or a Rocker?”
• Cynthia Powell Lennon 1939-2015
•‘‘No, I’m a mocker!’’ is a line Ringo said in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ when asked “Are you a Mod or a Rocker?”
• Cynthia Powell Lennon 1939-2015
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Cynthia was a fine woman. Yoko was a good person that got caught in the middle between John, Cynthia and he Beatles. May Pang was just a tryst. She was pretty, but I have no idea what kind of person she is. I met her at a Beatle fest about 35 years ago. She seemed nice enough. He had an affair with a woman in Norway and burned her house down. I think on purpose. Isn't it good Norwegian Wood?
JJ
JJ
Joe! That’s a wonderful comment, thank you! Takes me back to times we’d talk everything Beatles on the phone.
10th Oct 2018 8:41am
An interesting write on John's birthday. Was hat a coincidence Jade?
I always felt bad for Julian. We were about he same age and he got the worst of John, hen got shit from Yoko. Sean also shares John's birthday. I wonder what it is like when he celebrates his birthday. It's no easy thing to reconcile my admiration for John and my sorrow at he way he treated Cynthia and Julian. Hey Jules, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better!
JJ
I always felt bad for Julian. We were about he same age and he got the worst of John, hen got shit from Yoko. Sean also shares John's birthday. I wonder what it is like when he celebrates his birthday. It's no easy thing to reconcile my admiration for John and my sorrow at he way he treated Cynthia and Julian. Hey Jules, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better!
JJ
Good morning, Joe, I fell asleep exhausted before I could respond so I’ll be back later to reply. Just wanted to let you know. 😇
10th Oct 2018 3:37pm
Hi Joe, I’m back. Btw, my birthday is a few days before Lennon’s, so I always remember when it comes up. So yes, I wrote the poem, published & posted it on his birthday.
I agree completely about Cynthia & Julian went through. I’ve read both Cyn’s book (from 2005 I think), and May Pang’s which was choke full of her personal color photos that documented the completely when she & John were together up until Yoko sent for him to return to the Dakota. It wasn’t long when Yoko was expecting their son, Sean. So the separation apparently worked. Expectant father was home to stay. Who knew it would be for so short a time.
As for Sean, it wasn’t too long ago, I saw him on an interview via social media, that he finally lost it and his frustration and words flew into the face of the host, who had asked Sean (like so many had asked since Sean was old enough to understand, about what’s it been like being the son of John Lennon? I felt so keenly sorry for this full grown man who’d lost his dad in such a violent & public way, as Sean said like a wounded animal - why couldn’t people show an interest in him as Sean, his own individual person?? Who could blame him, you know? It was different for him than it was for Julian, who went through a LOT, but had mum Cynthia to protect him. She passed on in 2015 in Spain after a brief time due to cancer.
*tearing up, falls silent, no words left*
I agree completely about Cynthia & Julian went through. I’ve read both Cyn’s book (from 2005 I think), and May Pang’s which was choke full of her personal color photos that documented the completely when she & John were together up until Yoko sent for him to return to the Dakota. It wasn’t long when Yoko was expecting their son, Sean. So the separation apparently worked. Expectant father was home to stay. Who knew it would be for so short a time.
As for Sean, it wasn’t too long ago, I saw him on an interview via social media, that he finally lost it and his frustration and words flew into the face of the host, who had asked Sean (like so many had asked since Sean was old enough to understand, about what’s it been like being the son of John Lennon? I felt so keenly sorry for this full grown man who’d lost his dad in such a violent & public way, as Sean said like a wounded animal - why couldn’t people show an interest in him as Sean, his own individual person?? Who could blame him, you know? It was different for him than it was for Julian, who went through a LOT, but had mum Cynthia to protect him. She passed on in 2015 in Spain after a brief time due to cancer.
*tearing up, falls silent, no words left*
10th Oct 2018 10:35am
Recently attended an exhibition on John Lennon...down the Albert Docks in Liverpool.
Lennon portrayed himself as a working-class lad...though it was just an act.
Lennon portrayed himself as a working-class lad...though it was just an act.
Hello, Sun, and thanks so much for your comment.
Yes, I knew he want people to think of him from the working class. That’s why I had written:
“Bloody daft if anyone
mistook you for anything
than working class. ”
It was me saying this to him to let him know that many knew it was a bluff.
Yes, I knew he want people to think of him from the working class. That’s why I had written:
“Bloody daft if anyone
mistook you for anything
than working class. ”
It was me saying this to him to let him know that many knew it was a bluff.
10th Oct 2018 2:48pm
I love this bio-pic snapshot. This so picks up the John of youth and Liverpool...
Great write.
Tommy
Great write.
Tommy
11th Oct 2018 10:03am
Thanks so much, tommy, it’s gratifying to know of your love for this particular expression.
10th Oct 2018 5:02pm
Nice - packs in a lot of snap-shot images & facts that paint a sharp take on J.L's life.
10th Oct 2018 8:09pm
Thanks very much, Josh, I’m so glad you think so. I feel I went in just enough. I greatly appreciate your support.
Did Cynthia really say that? You're right, she shouldn't have married him, although you never said that! Also right, if you had just taken a bit more time to read what I actually said, you would have got me; d'ya get me? Lol, lol. ; -)
But I’m not right - I never said she should not have married him, so I don’t understand you laughing.
I quoted her from the book she wrote & published in 2005, “John”.
I wouldn’t make it up. The last page, #294, the last paragraph. It’s there.
I quoted her from the book she wrote & published in 2005, “John”.
I wouldn’t make it up. The last page, #294, the last paragraph. It’s there.
