Lennon v2.0 (Re-imagining “Imagine”)

Shalom! Salaam! I come in peace, brother
I’m one of you, I’m not the other
Forget what’s happened, it’s all in the past
Let’s build something together, something to last
What’s done is done, let it be forgotten
We’ve all got to live under the same sun

Not Christian, not Hindu, neither Muslim, nor Jew
You’re just like me and I, like you
Not black not white, Sunni nor Shiite
Let’s sit around and talk, don’t have to fight
Not rich, not poor; who cares how much you own
When all you’ll eventually need is a coffin and tombstone

Not victor, not vanquished; friend, not foe
Why look back, simply let it all go
Forget political affiliation, poverty, privilege
No stereotypes, prejudice or bigotry; don’t judge
Race, gender, ethnicity or nationality
Creed, caste, class or sexuality

Let’s end this vengeful cycle of strife
Bring Lennon’s utopia into life
Don’t let’s propagate any more hate
Let’s try and understand, accommodate
Bury forever whatever our difference
And forge anew with mutual confidence

Seek an answer, question if you must
But do take my hand, in each other let’s trust
Remember the message which we’ve all read
In case you’ve forgotten, this is what it said:
Humanity, fraternity, diversity
Unity, solidarity, one global family

So let’s all of us; you and me; we
Take peace forward till eternity
Aum, shanti, shanti, shanti*…

• Sanskrit for “peace”; the words with which many Hindu prayers end