By Justin K.
Howl and other poems by Allen Ginsberg is a pocket poetry series centered around the theme of societal decay and revolution. Allen Ginsberg is a poet and firm believer in a socialist system. The poems hold a mirror to a society that is greed driven and money hungry.
The first poem of the series titled "America" is a poem about the U.S. as seen through the eyes of a left leaning writer. This work describes the degradation of the United States. Ginsberg writes about corrupt government and media as well the way the western world worships fame and finance. It uses sarcasm to highlight the corporate greed of the country we call home.
The next three poems vary in delivery but stick to the same common theme of poverty, corruption, and hope for a better future. "A supermarket in california" is a tribute to another poet, the late Walt Whitman. It's a very visual poem with subtle sexual undertones. "Sunflower Sutra" describes a time when Ginsberg stayed with Jack Kerouac. I see it as a poem about overcoming circumstances that are out of your control and doing the best with the hand you've been given. Finally "Transcription of Organ Music' is a softer piece of writing describing ginsberg's home. The description of which leaves you with a sense of poverty but also a sense of peace, as if saying there is still beauty in the mundane.
Howl and other poems by Allen Ginsberg was a meaningful read for me. It was eye opening but subtle enough not to feel like ideas are being forced on you. This poetry book gave me a new appreciation for writing and its use in conveying a broader idea. I'd recommend this collection of poetry to anyone who wants to see their own personal feelings and suspicions about our society put into words on a page. It's a powerful series with an even more powerful message.
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