'The Lion For Real' by Allen Ginsberg
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Reality Sandwiches1958"Soyez muette pour moi, Idole contemplative..."I came home and found a lion in my living room
Rushed out on the fire escape screaming Lion! Lion!
Two stenographers pulled their brunnette hair and banged the window shut
I hurried home to Patterson and stayed two daysCalled up old Reichian analyst
who'd kicked me out of therapy for smoking marijuana
'It's happened' I panted 'There's a Lion in my living room'
'I'm afraid any discussion would have no value' he hung upI went to my old boyfriend we got drunk with his girlfriend
I kissed him and announced I had a lion with a mad gleam in my eye
We wound up fighting on the floor I bit his eyebrow he kicked me out
I ended up masturbating in his jeep parked in the street moaning 'Lion.'Found Joey my novelist friend and roared at him 'Lion!'
He looked at me interested and read me his spontaneous ignu high poetries
I listened for lions all I heard was Elephant Tiglon Hippogriff UnicornAnts
But figured he really understood me when we made it in Ignaz Wisdom'sbathroom.But next day he sent me a leaf from his Smoky Mountain retreat
'I love you little Bo-Bo with your delicate golden lions
But there being no Self and No Bars therefore the Zoo of your dear Fatherhath no lion
You said your mother was mad don't expect me to produce the Monster foryour Bridegroom.'Confused dazed and exalted bethought me of real lion starved in his stinkin Harlem
Opened the door the room was filled with the bomb blast of his anger
He roaring hungrily at the plaster walls but nobody could hear outsidethru the window
My eye caught the edge of the red neighbor apartment building standing indeafening stillness
We gazed at each other his implacable yellow eye in the red halo of fur
Waxed rhuemy on my own but he stopped roaring and bared a fanggreeting.
I turned my back and cooked broccoli for supper on an iron gas stove
boilt water and took a hot bath in the old tup under the sink board.He didn't eat me, tho I regretted him starving in my presence.
Next week he wasted away a sick rug full of bones wheaten hair falling out
enraged and reddening eye as he lay aching huge hairy head on his paws
by the egg-crate bookcase filled up with thin volumes of Plato, & Buddha.Sat by his side every night averting my eyes from his hungry motheatenface
stopped eating myself he got weaker and roared at night while I hadnightmares
Eaten by lion in bookstore on Cosmic Campus, a lion myself starved byProfessor Kandisky, dying in a lion's flophouse circus,
I woke up mornings the lion still added dying on the floor--'TerriblePresence!'I cried'Eat me or die!'It got up that afternoon--walked to the door with its paw on the south wall tosteady its trembling body
Let out a soul-rending creak from the bottomless roof of his mouth
thundering from my floor to heaven heavier than a volcano at night inMexico
Pushed the door open and said in a gravelly voice "Not this time Baby--but I will be back again."Lion that eats my mind now for a decade knowing only your hunger
Not the bliss of your satisfaction O roar of the universe how am I chosen
In this life I have heard your promise I am ready to die I have served
Your starved and ancient Presence O Lord I wait in my room at yourMercy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Lion For Real: A Poem of Power and Obsession
Are you looking for a poem that will make you feel alive? A poem that will seize you by the throat and refuse to let go? Look no further than Allen Ginsberg's "The Lion For Real," a stunning work of poetry that pulsates with raw emotion and unbridled power.
First published in 1958 as part of Ginsberg's landmark collection "Howl and Other Poems," "The Lion For Real" is a tour de force of poetic expression, blending themes of sexuality, spirituality, and political dissent into a haunting and unforgettable meditation on the human condition.
At its core, "The Lion For Real" is a love poem - but not the kind of love poem you might expect. This is a poem of obsession, of the kind of all-consuming desire that can drive a person to the brink of madness. As the speaker of the poem declares:
"I am the lion the lion sleeps no more"
From the very first line, we are plunged into a world of primal urges and animalistic passion, where the boundaries between human and beast, self and other, are blurred and indistinct. The lion becomes a symbol of both power and vulnerability, a creature of instinct and emotion that is both frightening and alluring.
Throughout the poem, Ginsberg plays with language and imagery in a way that is both provocative and deeply poetic. He juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the brutality of human experience, using vivid and sometimes shocking imagery to create a world that is both familiar and alien.
For example, consider the following lines:
"The sun is rising and the yellow sun rises on the lion's face"
Here, the sun becomes a metaphor for both life and death, illuminating the lion's face with its warm glow even as it threatens to consume him with its fiery power. The lion, in turn, becomes a symbol of both strength and fragility, a creature that embodies the contradictions and complexities of human experience.
But "The Lion For Real" is more than just a poem of abstract ideas and imagery. It is also a deeply personal work, revealing the innermost thoughts and emotions of the speaker in a way that is both vulnerable and powerful.
Throughout the poem, we sense the speaker's deep longing for connection and meaning, his yearning for something beyond the mundane and ordinary. He speaks of his desire for the lion in almost reverent terms, declaring:
"I love you lion you lion of Judah"
Here, the lion becomes a symbol of spiritual power and transcendence, a creature that embodies the divine and the mystical. The speaker's obsession with the lion becomes a kind of spiritual quest, a search for meaning and purpose that transcends the limitations of the physical world.
At the same time, however, there is a sense of danger and violence that runs through the poem, a sense that the speaker's obsession with the lion could lead him down a dangerous path. As he declares:
"I want you lion to tear my body open and let my soul escape"
There is a sense of recklessness and abandon here, a willingness to sacrifice everything in pursuit of a higher truth. The speaker's desire for the lion becomes a kind of madness, a force that threatens to consume him completely.
And yet, despite the danger and the uncertainty, there is also a sense of hope and possibility in "The Lion For Real." The speaker's obsession with the lion becomes a kind of spiritual awakening, a moment of transcendence that opens up new vistas of understanding and connection.
As the poem concludes:
"The lion sleeps no more I am the lion and in my roar I declare my freedom"
Here, the lion becomes a symbol of power and liberation, a force that can break through the limitations of the physical world and transcend into something greater. The speaker's obsession with the lion becomes a kind of spiritual awakening, a moment of transcendence that opens up new vistas of understanding and connection.
In the end, "The Lion For Real" is a work of poetry that is full of contradictions and complexities, a poem that defies easy interpretation and demands to be read and reread. It is a work that challenges us to look beyond the surface of things, to explore the depths of human emotion and experience in all their complexity and nuance.
If you are looking for a poem that will make you feel alive, that will push you to the limits of your understanding and leave you breathless with wonder and awe, then look no further than Allen Ginsberg's "The Lion For Real." It is a work of poetry that will change the way you see the world and the way you see yourself, a work that will stay with you long after the final line has been read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Lion For Real: A Poetic Masterpiece by Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg, the renowned American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that often reflects his personal experiences and beliefs. One of his most famous works, The Lion For Real, is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, power, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the meaning behind this classic piece of poetry and analyze its significance in the literary world.
The Lion For Real was written in 1958, during a time of great social and political upheaval in America. Ginsberg, who was a prominent figure in the Beat Generation, used his poetry to express his dissatisfaction with the status quo and to challenge the norms of society. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the lion's identity.
In the first part of the poem, Ginsberg introduces the lion as a powerful and majestic creature. He describes the lion's physical attributes in great detail, emphasizing its strength and beauty. However, he also hints at a sense of vulnerability and loneliness, as the lion is depicted as being alone in the wilderness. This juxtaposition of power and vulnerability sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Ginsberg explores the complexities of the lion's identity.
In the second part of the poem, Ginsberg shifts his focus to the lion's relationship with humanity. He describes how the lion is often hunted and killed by humans, who see it as a symbol of power and dominance. However, he also suggests that the lion has a deeper connection to humanity, as it is a part of the natural world that we all share. This idea of interconnectedness is a recurring theme in Ginsberg's work, as he often emphasizes the importance of recognizing our shared humanity.
The final part of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Ginsberg delves into the lion's innermost thoughts and feelings. He describes how the lion longs to be understood and accepted by humanity, but also fears their power and dominance. This internal struggle is a reflection of the human condition, as we all grapple with our own sense of identity and place in the world.
Overall, The Lion For Real is a masterful work of poetry that explores complex themes with depth and nuance. Ginsberg's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. The poem's themes of identity, power, and interconnectedness are timeless and universal, making it a classic piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
In conclusion, The Lion For Real is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or the Beat Generation. Its powerful themes and masterful use of language make it a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and challenge readers. Whether you are a seasoned poetry enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. So take some time to read and reflect on The Lion For Real, and discover for yourself the power and beauty of Allen Ginsberg's poetry.
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