Jacket 33 - Gordon Ball: Cadets read Howl, Virginia Military Institute '91

Jun 6, 2008 at 6:11 PM
4 comments

http://jacketmagazine.com/33/ball-pho...

What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination? Moloch! Solitude! Filth! Ugliness! Ashcans and unobtainable dollars! Children screaming under the stairways! Boys sobbing in armies! Old men weeping in the parks! Moloch! Moloch! Nightmare of Moloch! Moloch the loveless! Mental Moloch! Moloch the heavy judger of men! -- Allen Ginsberg, ''Howl!'' ..................................................... The war is language, language abused for Advertisement, language used like magic for power on the planet —Allen Ginsberg, Wichita Vortex Sutra

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[this is good]

I guess this shows that Ginsberg is finally part of the canon. I love the photo. i am not judging their faces. I don't particularly like Howl. I like some of Ginsberg's other pieces about his mentally ill mother better. Howl should be read in a funny voice. It seems farcical to me, but then I am a younger generation than those Beats who broke ground for the likes of me.

Lucy

This isn't exactly what I would have chosen for them to read. Life isn't always pleasant.

[this is good]

Thanks, Lucy. It's difficult for me to choose any favorite poem by Allen. However, I think Howl holds up well and shames most contemporary works to this day. It certainly is one of a few works which truly freed my own experience and use of language in general (not just for the sake of poetics, but daily life), and consequently every aspect of my perception grew from those new pathways or space, new directions and less control (since words are often how it's done at base).

It definitely is playful and humorous at times w/ regard to its social commentary (also holding up well in our current environment). If read in the breath n' rhythm of the poet: magic trip for (almost) free.

Have a great weekend!

[this is good]

Thanks, Tammie. I think it was a wise choice, but not too surprising. They tend to be forward thinking folks and likely had metaphysical as well as physical reasons for working Howl (and other poetry, philos) into the curriculum. Poetry is essential during a Word War being broadcast 24.7.365. New word order or understanding of the power therein is paramount - in other words, change the words and you can more easily change the world. Control the words and voila.

The unpleasantness and grotesque nature of our system(s) must be addressed in order to adapt in the long term, return to proper functioning, better ways to be or un-bee.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jacket 33 - Gordon Ball: Cadets read Howl, Virginia Military Institute '91

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