Ginsberg’s Poem

Alan Ginsberg has written the first poem I have read that has actually moved me, inspired me. When America was read aloud in class, it was hard for me to hide the smirk etching it’s way across my face, caused of course by my admiration for counter-culture, left wing beliefs, and general insubordination. America’s history has much that is not to be proud of, yet, finding materials created in certain eras that do not support mainstream beliefs, are generally hard to come by. That is to say that this material is not generally presented to us. When this material is eventually noticed, the anticipation, want and need for said material makes the experience all the better.

Ginsberg’s poem is not a critique, but rather an attack. Sure there are particular points being made about particular things, but moreover, the point of the piece is to portray an attack on everything you aren’t supposed to attack. To say things that many other people are thinking but are too afraid to say. To go entirely against the grain.

The beautiful thing about the poem is that is not only going against the grain in content, but also in structure. It is two fold, offending the stiff beliefs of not only tight-assed republicans, but also traditionalist