Across The Universe: Free Verse Inspired By The Beatles' Song; Response to a Chellenge
Across the Universe (film)
John Lennon with First Wife Cynthia
Response to a Challenge by Billybuc aka William Holland
Having read Ann's response to Bill's challenge to write a free verse poem, based on music, specifically the Beatles' “Across the Universe,” I decided to have a go.
However, the standard set by Bill and Ann were so high, at first, I hesitated. I was surely out of my depth, but as I read the lyrics of the song, I was moved by John Lennon's words so I read some more about how the song came into being, suddenly I needed to contribute to this challenge. I hope you'll like my effort.
According to wikipedia, Across the Universe is a song recorded by the Beatles, written by John Lennon, and credited to Lennon and McCartney. The song first appeared on the various artists' charity compilation album, No One's Gonna Change Our World in December 1969.
The first line of the song, “Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup”
came to Lennon after hearing his then wife Cynthia having a rant about something. Later, after she had gone to sleep, the words was still revolving around in his head 'like an endless stream' Lennon later explained. And legendary genius that he was, he went downstairs, wrote the lyrics to the song, went to bed and calmly forgot all about it.
My Response to Bill's Challenge
Endless Rain
A barrage of words like arrows fueled by sorrow, glisading down the glaciers of his heart
Touching his soul, setting him free to soar across the universe.
They slip, they slide, they lift him high, they blew his mind
Pangs of regret surrendered to the cosmic bliss that enfolded him
Piqued by mundane triviality, on mystical tide to flow
Exalting in a greater power, this scion of man, possessed by the promise of enlightenment he seeks, yielded to the love and embraced the truth
Can we truly open our hearts and minds, and if we could, what would we find?
Words cascades assaulting his brain, a mizzle into a deluge of gloom, but nothing will impede the light nor douse the flame, until the sun sets, giving meaning to the quest.
A restless soul transcending, crossing boundaries in pursuit of veracity of existence
His essence pure, rainbow bright, he glides beyond the skies where words dissipates like the morning mist.
Where clouds recedes far below, like the ghost of a sweet lingering kiss still tingling on a lover's lips. A time to feel, a time to heal a time to simply let it be.
On and on he rise, heeding the joyous call as he navigates the heavens, the stars look on, the universe yearns and turns, and his heart sings, infused with joy, because..
Nothing's gonna change his world.
No, nothing's gonna change our world