Lennon of the Day -- "Alphabet Poem" by John Lennon

I can't begin to convey the importance of John Lennon to me as an artist -- Lennon firmly holds his place as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and specifically of course -- "the sixties".  As one-half of the "greatest songwriting and composing collaboration in history" he stands at the top of that particular list.  But add his influence in style (hair, humor, clothing, avant-garde) and politics (outspoken, free speech, peace), his talent as a writer (2 books, lyrics, poetry), and an artist (prints, lithographs, Yoko), John stands alone with the breadth of his allocation of spiritual genius which was shared with the world.

This is the beginning of a blog series in which we share some of John's work with you -- Poems, Songs and Art (with Yoko of course) -- in order to bring some peace and pleasure to your life occasionally.

A prolific poet even as a child, with a remarkable sense of nonsensical humor - here is one of my favorites.  This poem was written in February 1969 (as the Beatles were beginning the Break up process) and is part of the famous "Bag One" series of lithographs which he made with Yoko.  

The original, numbered, lithographs for this poem exist as part of the Bag One offering -- a photo of the handwritten poem is shown below.

Alphabet

By John Lennon (Feb. 1969)

A is for Parrot which we can plainly see
B is for glasses which we can plainly see
C is for plastic which we can plainly see
D is for Doris
E is for binoculars I’ll get in five
F is for Ethel who lives next door
G is for orange which we love to eat when we can get them because
they come from abroad
H is for England and (Heather)
I is for monkey we see in the tree
J is for parrot which we can plainly see
K is for shoetop we wear to the ball
L is for Land because brown
M is for Venezuela where the oranges come from
N is for Brazil near Venezuela (very near)
O is for football which we kick about a bit
T is for Tommy who won the war
Q is a garden which we can plainly see
R is for intestines which hurt when we dance
S is for pancake or whole-wheat bread
U is for Ethel who lives on the hill
P is arab and her sister will
V is for me
W is for lighter which never lights
X is easter—have one yourself
Y is a crooked letter and you can’t straighten it
Z is for Apple which we can plainly see

This is my story both humble and true
Take it to pieces and mend it with glue