'Five A.M.' by Allen Ginsberg
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Death & Fame: Last Poems1996Elan that lifts me above the clouds
into pure space, timeless, yea eternal
Breath transmuted into wordsTransmuted back to breathin one hundred two hundred years
nearly Immortal, Sappho's 26 centuries
of cadenced breathing -- beyond time, clocks, empires, bodies, cars,
chariots, rocket ships skyscrapers, Nation empires
brass walls, polished marble, Inca Artwork
of the mind -- but where's it come from?
Inspiration?The muses drawing breath for you?God?
Nah, don't believe it, you'll get entangled in Heaven or Hell --
Guilt power, that makes the heart beat wake all night
flooding mind with space, echoing through future cities, Megalopolis or
Cretan village, Zeus' birth cave Lassithi Plains -- Otsego Countyfarmhouse, Kansas front porch?
Buddha's a help, promises ordinary mind no nirvana --
coffee, alcohol, cocaine, mushrooms, marijuana, laughing gas?
Nope, too heavy for this lightness lifts the brain into blue sky
at May dawn when birds start singing on East 12th street --
Where does it come from, where does it go forever?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Five A.M. by Allen Ginsberg: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Allen Ginsberg's "Five A.M." is a poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation's literary movement. The poem is a snapshot of the poet's stream of consciousness as he observes the world around him. It is a reflection of the poet's inner thoughts and emotions, and it speaks to the human condition in a way that is both honest and raw.
Background Information
To understand the context in which "Five A.M." was written, it is important to understand the Beat Generation. The Beat Generation was a literary movement that emerged in the 1950s, in response to the social and political climate of the time. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional values and morals, and its embrace of individualism and freedom.
Allen Ginsberg was one of the leading voices of the Beat Generation. He was a poet, writer, and activist who used his writing to challenge social norms and push for change. "Five A.M." was written in 1958, during the height of the Beat Generation. It was published in Ginsberg's collection of poems, "Kaddish and Other Poems," in 1961.
Literary Analysis
"Five A.M." is a free-verse poem that is structured in a way that reflects the poet's stream of consciousness. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which represents a different moment in time. The first section is set at five in the morning, and the subsequent sections move through the day, ending with the poet's reflections on the world at night.
The poem is characterized by its use of vivid imagery and sensory details. Ginsberg uses his observations of the world around him to create a picture of the human condition. He describes the world as he sees it, and in doing so, he speaks to the reader's emotions and senses.
The poem is also marked by its use of repetition. The phrase "I'm an old man now" is repeated several times throughout the poem, and it serves to emphasize the passing of time and the poet's growing sense of mortality. The repetition of this phrase also adds a sense of urgency to the poem, as if the poet is trying to make sense of his life before it's too late.
Interpretation
"Five A.M." is a deeply introspective poem that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both honest and raw. The poem is a reflection of the poet's inner thoughts and emotions, and it captures the essence of the Beat Generation's rejection of traditional values and morals.
At its core, "Five A.M." is a meditation on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The repetition of the phrase "I'm an old man now" serves as a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time that we have. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and live it to the fullest.
The poem is also a commentary on the state of society. Ginsberg's observations of the world around him reveal a sense of disillusionment and despair. He describes a world that is dominated by consumerism and materialism, and he laments the loss of human connection and the erosion of values and morals.
However, despite the bleakness of Ginsberg's observations, "Five A.M." is ultimately a hopeful poem. The poet's reflections on the passing of time and the state of society are accompanied by a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
Conclusion
"Five A.M." is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation's literary movement. It is a reflection of the poet's inner thoughts and emotions, and it speaks to the human condition in a way that is both honest and raw. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and live it to the fullest. It is a commentary on the state of society, and a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Five A.M.: An Analysis of Allen Ginsberg's Classic Poem
Allen Ginsberg's "Poetry Five A.M." is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation's philosophy and style. Written in 1960, the poem is a reflection on the creative process and the role of the poet in society. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker waking up at five in the morning, feeling inspired to write poetry. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker declares his commitment to the art of poetry:
"Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that's what the poet does."
Here, Ginsberg is making a bold statement about the role of the poet in society. He is saying that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to conform to societal norms. Instead, it is a way for the poet to express their true thoughts and feelings, to make the private world public. This idea is central to the Beat Generation's philosophy, which rejected the conformity and materialism of mainstream American culture.
The poem then moves on to describe the creative process of writing poetry. The speaker talks about the importance of being in the right state of mind, of being open to inspiration:
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."
This line is a testament to the hard work and dedication required to be a poet. It is not enough to wait for inspiration to strike; one must actively seek it out. The image of using a club to chase after inspiration is a powerful one, suggesting that the poet must be willing to fight for their art.
The poem then takes a more introspective turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of creativity:
"Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating."
This line is a profound statement about the nature of creativity. Ginsberg is saying that creativity is not something that one is born with, but rather a way of approaching the world. It is a mindset, a way of operating. This idea is echoed in the next lines:
"You have to be in a receptive mood. . . . You have to be like a cat lapping up milk."
Here, the speaker is emphasizing the importance of being receptive to the world around us. To be creative, one must be open to new experiences, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. The image of a cat lapping up milk is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of curiosity and playfulness.
The poem then moves on to describe the process of writing poetry in more detail. The speaker talks about the importance of being honest and authentic in one's writing:
"Write what you want bottomless from bottom of the mind."
This line is a call to authenticity, a reminder that the poet must write from the heart, without fear of judgment or criticism. The idea of writing "bottomless from bottom of the mind" suggests a sense of depth and honesty, a willingness to explore the darkest corners of one's psyche.
The poem then takes a more political turn, as the speaker reflects on the role of the poet in society:
"The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world. That's what poetry does."
Here, Ginsberg is making a bold statement about the power of poetry to change the world. He is saying that poetry has the ability to awaken people to the world around them, to make them more aware of the injustices and inequalities that exist. This idea is central to the Beat Generation's philosophy, which saw poetry as a form of social and political activism.
The poem then ends with a powerful image:
"The morning light is gold as money and pours like water over the newspaper and the pavement."
This image is a beautiful one, suggesting a sense of renewal and hope. The morning light is compared to gold, a symbol of wealth and abundance, and it is described as pouring like water over the newspaper and the pavement. This image suggests a sense of cleansing, a washing away of the old to make way for the new.
In conclusion, "Poetry Five A.M." is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation's philosophy and style. It is a reflection on the creative process and the role of the poet in society. Through its powerful imagery and bold statements, the poem encourages us to be authentic, curious, and open to the world around us. It reminds us that poetry has the power to change the world, to awaken us to the injustices and inequalities that exist. And it leaves us with a sense of renewal and hope, as the morning light pours like water over the newspaper and the pavement.
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