What is Poetry?

Across The Universe

by

The Beatles

Words are flowing out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open 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
That 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
exciting 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

Some beleive that poetry lies forever written in prose and must be titled a poem. Yet, these people have yet to discover that poetry is encompassed by many things. Most obviously, song lyrics are encripted with powerful poetic devices. "Across the Universe" by The Beatles is a perfect example. Each person takes their own unique meaning from poetry. Where someone sees love, another might see entrapment. "Across the Universe" was written by John Lennon after a fight with his first wife. The simile at the beginning, "words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup", represents the agurment his wife put forth. Even as she slept on they "slither as they pass" through his mind. The mood of the song, or poem, is a rather solemn, contemplating one. The repitition of the mantra "Jai guru deva om" furthers the reflective mood. Also through repitition, Lennon states that "nothing's gonna change my world"; this empowers the meaning of the phrase. Light is personified as a beckoning broken figure: "images of broken light...they call me on and on across the universe". The light also could be a metaphor for all the different pulls of society, telling you this and that without allowing you to even think in solitude. This particular song is showered in beautiful imagery. As the psychadelic songs plays pictures of "restless wind inside a letter box" and broken light that dances like "a million eyes". "Across the Universe" is just one song that proves that it is not only a beautiful melody but also poetry. As the lyrics encompass and caress each listener, the poetry is heard. Hidden in every song is poetry just waiting to be discovered.