But Nothing’s Gonna Change My World
Inspiration for this Poem
This poem “But Nothing’s Gonna Change My World” is my interpretation of The Beatles song “Across the Universe” which first appeared on a 1968 charity album for the World Wildlife Fund Called ”No One’s Gonna Change Our World”. I was inspired to publish it here because of the state our world finds itself in at this present time. Terrorism and mass murder are running riot and the perpetrators are trying to instill fear and prejudice across the globe.
But Nothing’s Gonna Change My World
Vowels and consonants flow like a waterfall
Crashing endlessly through my open mind,
A whirlpool of words swirling wildly across the universe.
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy, drops of melancholy,
Possessing me, caressing me, consuming me.
The Guru says, “Meditate, contemplate, communicate.”
But nothing’s gonna change my world.
Shattered light, a myriad of colours through a prism,
Beckoning, calling me across the universe.
My thoughts and ideas sucked up into a tornado
Wrestling and tumbling aimlessly, helplessly,
As they make their way across the universe.
The Guru says, “Meditate, contemplate, communicate”
But nothing’s gonna change my world.
Laughing voices, sounds of life are ringing through my ears
Exciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love draws me on
Towards the bright and burning sun.
It calls me on and onward and forward, across the universe.
The Guru says, “Meditate, contemplate, communicate.”
But nothing’s gonna change my world.
~~~~~~~Just Imagine~~~~~~
John Hansen © 2014
Lyrics to the Original Beatle’s Song “Across the Universe
“It’s one of the best lyrics I’ve written. In fact, it could be the best. It’s good poetry, or whatever you call it, without chewin’ it. See, the ones I like are the ones that stand as words, without melody. They don’t have to have any melody, like a poem, you can read them.” John Lennon
(source: http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/across-the-universe/)
“Across The Universe”
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai Guru Deva OM
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe
Jai Guru Deva OM
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of life are ringing through my open ears
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on, across the universe
Jai Guru Deva OM
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva [fade out]
Background
Part of the song’s chorus – ‘Jai guru deva, om’ – is a Sanskrit phrase which roughly translates as ‘Victory to God divine’. It was likely inspired by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, whom The Beatles had met in August 1967. The Maharishi’s spiritual master was called Guru Dev. ‘Jai’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘long live’ or ‘victory’, and ‘om’ is a sacred syllable in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist religions.
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
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Love this John and you seem to be like me with letting songs inspire you. I may have not even became a poet if not for that and I love giving song titles to my poetry since we can! Why not?
Thank you, Jackie. I often use song titles or book titles to inspire my poetry. Glad you do too. Glad you enjoyed this.
‘ Nothing Gonna Change My World ‘ This was beautifully penned at a time in our world that’s changing. Fear and rage is abounding as people must decide if they want to go shopping or stay huddled together in fear. As I read this piece I thought nothing can change our thought’s. We still see beauty in the universe, just look at the stars at night, the sunset and the billowing clouds. I have been down a bit since the shooting in Germany, but this piece gave me a much needed lift. Thank you John…
Ruby, the recent spate of shocking terrorist attacks, mass shootings etc inspired me to publish this here now. It doesn’t matter what attrocities these evil entities throw at us, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My World”. I am glad you are of the same mind, and that this helped brighten your thoughts.
Nicely done John, a great song and a wonderful tribute in poetic lyrics. Also poignant in its meaning at a time when the world is in crisis and needs changing. Great work.
I appreciate you generous comment, Tony. Terrorists are trying to disrupt life as we know it and cause us all to live in fear and disharmony. We can’t let that happen. We need to be positive.
There is something special about breathing life in to words and create wonderful song lyrics like this. You’ve planted a seed in my mind now and thankyou.
Glad this has planted a seed, Eddy. I hope to see the result. Thanks for the great comment.