Ginsberg's America

The poem America by Alen Ginsberg is a strange work of art. It can appear as random thoughts jotted down (perhaps even in preparation for a poem) as opposed to an actual poem. He even dates the poem within the poem. Although the rhythm is there -the poem is a chant and a cry- it is perhaps more apparent to the trained eye as rather to my own.
As I read Ginsberg’s poem it seemed as though almost every line was displaying another side of character from a writer with an obvious complex personality. His strong statements are dark and laced with disgust and apathy, yet always coming back/tying in humor and wit.

One thing is certain, the speaker/writer is disenchanted, strongly. He speaks as a member of a sub-society/culture, disconnected from society at large and the reality they choose to see. A period in America’s history that is remembered as a time of growth and optimism.