America... I've given you all and now I am nothing America two dollars and twenty-seven cents January 17th, 1956. America when will you end the human war? Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb. I don't feel good don't bother me. I won't write my poem until I'm in my write mind. America when will you be angelic? When will you take off your clothes? When will you look at yourself through the grave When will you be worthy of your million trotskyites? America why are your libraries full of tears? Haha I was reciting from memory and I don't know the rest by heart. But I do know my favorite bits and pieces. "It's true, I don't want to join the Army or turn lathes in precision parts factories, I'm nearsighted and psychopathic anyway. America I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel." Can anyone share my enthusiasm about this brilliant work of art by Allen Ginsberg? __________________
I love this poem! It's definitely my favourite Ginsberg poem so far... yeah, "America" is my favourite, not "Howl." Is that blasphemy? Perhaps. I don't care, though. I have so many favourite parts that I can't pick just one... or five... or maybe even ten. One of my favourite parts, though, is the last bit you posted: "It's true, I'll never... shoulder to the wheel." I also like: "America I used to be a communist when I was a kid and I'm not sorry," "America how can I write a holy litany in your silly mood?," "I haven't read the newspapers for months, every day somebody goes on trial for murder," the questions to America at the beginning of the poem, and the parts on Time Magazine and "my national resources." But basically, this whole poem is awesome. I think it'd be cool if there were some kind of campaign where people typed/wrote copies of America or other poems, and left them at random people's doors. Some people might be weirded out, or even creeped out... but some people might discover a great new poem. Plus, it'd be tons of fun, lol. P.S. If you're reading this thread and haven't read Ginsberg's "America," here's a link where you can read it: http://www.rooknet.com/beatpage/writers/ginsberg.html#america. This website also has other works by Ginsberg, and by other beat generation writers.
