"Dear John" (A tribute to John Lennon)

By Shannon Horton, copyright 2006

I didn’t know you
I barely knew of you
That day you died

Standing in front of the TV news
Shocked as I cried,
A deep loss that went through my soul
And I, a young child that was asking “Why”

Why did John Lennon have to die?

Who was this man everyone loved?
What did he do and what did he love?
I could only see he was just like me.
A light in the world with a message to offer
Lots of love and beauty like no other

He was my brother.  Brother in spirit, brother in love.
A man with such passion it burned in his heart.
His music topped the charts.  He was an artist, a father and a husband.
Oh how could anyone hurt such a man?
But still one question rang

Why did John Lennon have to die?

He was a beautiful man just like you and me. 
Was it something he said? Or Did?
All I knew was the pain grew.
Deeper and Deeper within my soul
Still asking

Why did John Lennon Have to Die?

A hole that will be with me the rest of my life
A hole the world still feels as we remember his life
A memory that will live forever, never to die
Never to quiver.
But one question still remains the same

Why did John Lennon have to die?

As I grew older I heard his message
One of Peace, love and no possessions
To this day I still cry, for we have lost a great guy.
But I still ask

Why did John Lennon have to die?

That dreary day December 8, 1980 truth came knocking.
Knocking on the door of innocence for me,
I only 7, did not know that this was the day I would see          
A man murdered for his beliefs.
Painful but true. 

Asking why oh why did John Lennon have to die?

My parents tried to shelter me from the dark and cruel part of the world
They raised me with love and strong morals.
They taught me to stand in what I believed in.
I believed that the dark never crossed into the light
But that night, I saw the dark could.

One question still is asked

Why did John Lennon have to die?

I realized it could be you and me this darkness could seize.
Through any means, Greed, hate, power, struggle and murder.
I had to be a spiritual warrior. 
To walk a path of truth and love.
Always remembering My Brother John.

Still no answer to the question I ask

Why did John Lennon have to die?


My brother John, you are a spiritual warrior
Still speaking your truth
Paving the way
For that better day
I honor you for your bravery
For your message and the day you died is always with me

Can you answer for me this question I have carried with me?

John, why did you have to die?

I know of you now through your music, art and writings.
I feel your spirit encourage me to have courage
To speak my truth and live my purpose
Thank you dear friend, whom I haven’t met.
For all you have contributed
I give you credit.

Friend can you tell me why,

John, why did you have to die?

Now I stand in the light looking into the darkness of the world
Realizing only a thin veil separates us from it.
I stand outside the chaos where peace and wisdom prevail
Are you standing there with me?
Waiting for the struggle, chaos, war, hate, murder, injustice to collapse inside itself.
Waiting for a new dawn to arise.

Now, I know why you had to die.

So your spirit, message, and life will stay alive.
To give us courage and a dream
For all us beautiful souls who need inspiration to
Dare to dream, love and give PEACE a chance.

Thank you dear friend.  You are loved.  You lived your life
With meaning for all of us!