David Wojahn
February 2004

The Assassination of John Lennon as Depicted by
the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum Niagara Falls, Ontario, 1987


Smuggled human hair from Mexico
Falls radiant upon the waxy O

Of her scream. Shades on, leather coat and pants—Yoko
On her knees—like the famous Kent State photo

Where the girl can’t shriek her boyfriend alive, her arms
Windmilling Ohio sky.
                                   A pump in John’s chest heaves

To mimic death-throes. The blood is made of latex.
His glasses: broken on the plastic sidewalk.

A scowling David Chapman, his arms outstretched,
His pistol barrel spiraling fake smoke

In a siren’s red wash, completes the composition,
And somewhere background music plays "Imagine"

Before the tableau darkens. We push a button
To renew the scream.
                                  The chest starts up again.

from Mystery Train, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1990.