Imagine

"Sons are the anchors of a mother’s life."

— Sophocles

I pause across the way and contemplate the Elisabeth Street Picture Theatre.

I walk towards it, drawn by the brilliant white aglow reflecting on the pressed metal ceilings.

Here lies the possibility of the deliciously elegant and decadence of a bygone era.

Or is this a facade?

*

Upstairs.

There he is, sixteen years of age and waiting for me.

I catch my breath, an affirmation of knowing.

Before me, I see this radiant son of mine.

*

We are seated now.

*

I turn to Ross, “Can you imagine the sky?”

He can see the wonder in my eyes.

He holds my hand and smiles, “Pauline, it seems we’re already here.“

I lean toward him and whisper, “And are we dreamers?“

With a gentle caress, “Yes. Dreamers everlasting,”

*

The house lights slowly fade, and we wait for the documentary to begin.

*

We emerge from the Elisabeth Street Picture Theatre.

A facade? No. It was an immersive experience.

I know this to be true.

Mother and Son; imagine both dreamers!

‘Above us only sky.’

*

Note: [ Video : Pauline Fountain ]

*

‘Imagine : Above us only sky’ : Official Documentary Trailer.

*

‘Imagine’ (1971), is a major work keynoted by its beloved title track, a hymn of hope whose concept he attributed to Ono.

I have chosen this version because it is the best quality. In the documentary, John Lennon states that ‘the Imagine album (1971) should have been titled: Imagine, Yoko Ono and John Lennon.’

*

Lyrics : ‘Imagine’ 1971

‘Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people

Livin' for today

Ah

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion, too

Imagine all the people

Livin' life in peace

You

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one’

Pauline Fountain. © 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the author.