Ginsberg did after all, change “anarchy” to “Arkansas.” To which is believed it was solely lyrical based.
I saw the most impressionable minds of my generation manipulated by
Ginsberg, praising Howl’s words,
As if prejudice against Ginsberg mediocre magnificence were unbearable
and unspoken about,
Young students yearning for rude poetry filling with egoistic self-centering
dialogue that voiced the benefit of a few “best minds,”
Who grindingly absorbed tattered words of a lyrical poet who used
shock and awe as if it were the only way
for his society to understand him and himself,
Who professed Ginsberg’s genius even when the madness of
such an act only added to the prestige of the situation,
Who were students of pre-worn academies,
the very same people
whom Ginsberg found obscene and despicable
I am (obviously) not a poet. And to be fair, I cannot even imitate poetry.
Allen Ginsberg was a good lyrical poet. Ginsberg’s poetry was meant to be heard out loud. However, neither of these statements should have made the poet one of the most widely respected literary heroes.
Ginsberg’s Howl is a well-written epic poem. But the moment a scholar began dissecting and discussing its importance to society was when Ginsberg should have stepped in and said, “hey look guys, this was just a poem dedicated to my buddies about how we lived in the 50s. I think its swell that you want to make it bigger then it is but it really is just a buddy poem.”
Instead, Ginsberg relished in his popularity. And it may be presumed that if Ginsberg (rest in peace) were alive today, he would be giddy with excitement that college courses still attempt to discuss his poem Howl as if it were the greatest American literature ever written.
Because what is Howl other then a series of dialogue between Ginsberg and his mates?
Too much of the poem is abstract. Too much attempts to find the underlining meaning of the word, “cock,” have jaded perceptions of the mediocrity of Ginsberg’s original meaning.
Allen Ginsberg was a good lyrical poet. Americans just love a crazy anti-hero. Because it is hip, like the angelheaded hipsters.
Ginsberg, praising Howl’s words,
As if prejudice against Ginsberg mediocre magnificence were unbearable
and unspoken about,
Young students yearning for rude poetry filling with egoistic self-centering
dialogue that voiced the benefit of a few “best minds,”
Who grindingly absorbed tattered words of a lyrical poet who used
shock and awe as if it were the only way
for his society to understand him and himself,
Who professed Ginsberg’s genius even when the madness of
such an act only added to the prestige of the situation,
Who were students of pre-worn academies,
the very same people
whom Ginsberg found obscene and despicable
I am (obviously) not a poet. And to be fair, I cannot even imitate poetry.
Allen Ginsberg was a good lyrical poet. Ginsberg’s poetry was meant to be heard out loud. However, neither of these statements should have made the poet one of the most widely respected literary heroes.
Ginsberg’s Howl is a well-written epic poem. But the moment a scholar began dissecting and discussing its importance to society was when Ginsberg should have stepped in and said, “hey look guys, this was just a poem dedicated to my buddies about how we lived in the 50s. I think its swell that you want to make it bigger then it is but it really is just a buddy poem.”
Instead, Ginsberg relished in his popularity. And it may be presumed that if Ginsberg (rest in peace) were alive today, he would be giddy with excitement that college courses still attempt to discuss his poem Howl as if it were the greatest American literature ever written.
Because what is Howl other then a series of dialogue between Ginsberg and his mates?
Too much of the poem is abstract. Too much attempts to find the underlining meaning of the word, “cock,” have jaded perceptions of the mediocrity of Ginsberg’s original meaning.
Allen Ginsberg was a good lyrical poet. Americans just love a crazy anti-hero. Because it is hip, like the angelheaded hipsters.
posted by sau at 1:01 AM
3 Comments:
Sau--it's fair enough not to like the poem, but hey, why not a poet as a culture hero? What do we have as heroes these days--actors, athletes, musicians--why not someone who writes poems?
sms
Ms. Schultz, with all due respect, Ginsberg is not a cultural hero. But this is my opinion. And like all opinions there is an old adage: "opinions are like ass, everyone has one, and they are all crappy."
Ms. Schultz, I do believe that poets should be cultural heros. Unfortunately I disagree with you and the class's sentiments that Ginsberg should be one.
I feel that Ginsberg is the type of person who relishes in his glow. Loves the sound of his own voice. Is completely a bastard and does not know the meaning of "modesty." But I regress, I have never had the pleasure of meeting Ginsberg.
I will however, summon your tale of Ginsberg. Even at an old age Ginsberg like talking like a crazy man. In all honesty, what sort of first-encounter social meeting would one utter the use of "cock?" It is apparent that Ginsberg likes to shock and awe.
He was/is the Howard Stern of poetry.
Ms. Schultz, I am not a poetry hater. I just disagree with Ginsberg and his "poetry."
No problem, Sau. No need to like everything you read. But I do hope you got something from our discussions, in any case.
sms
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