'Feb. 29, 1958' by Allen Ginsberg
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Last nite I dreamed of T.S. Eliot
welcoming me to the land of dream
Sofas couches fog in England
Tea in his digs Chelsea rainbows
curtains on his windows, fog seeping in
the chimney but a nice warm house
and an incredibly sweet hooknosed
Eliot he loved me, put me up,
gave me a couch to sleep on,
conversed kindly, took me serious
asked my opinion on Mayakovsky
I read him Corso Creeley Kerouac
advised Burroughs Olson Huncke
the bearded lady in the Zoo, the
intelligent puma in Mexico City
6 chorus boys from Zanzibar
who chanted in wornout polygot
Swahili, and the rippling rythyms
of Ma Rainey and Vachel Lindsay.
On the Isle of the Queen
we had a long evening's conversation
Then he tucked me in my long
red underwear under a silken
blanket by the fire on the sofa
gave me English Hottie
and went off sadly to his bed,
Saying ah Ginsberg I am glad
to have met a fine young man like you.
At last, I woke ashamed of myself.
Is he that good and kind? Am I that great?
What's my motive dreaming his
manna? What English Department
would that impress? What failure
to be perfect prophet's made up here?
I dream of my kindness to T.S. Eliot
wanting to be a historical poet
and share in his finance of Imagery-
overambitious dream of eccentric boy.
God forbid my evil dreams come true.
Last nite I dreamed of Allen Ginsberg.
T.S. Eliot would've been ashamed of me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Feb. 29, 1958 by Allen Ginsberg: A Critical Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that left you pondering about the deeper meaning behind the words? A piece of literature that transcends its initial interpretation and forces you to delve into the psyche of the author? Allen Ginsberg's "Feb. 29, 1958" is one such poem. Often overshadowed by his more famous work, "Howl," this poem is a hidden gem that deserves close scrutiny.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's understand the context in which it was written. "Feb. 29, 1958" was written during the height of the Beat Generation, a literary movement that emerged in the 1950s and was characterized by its rejection of mainstream values and a search for spiritual liberation. Ginsberg was one of the leading voices of the Beat Generation, alongside Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs.
The poem was written on a leap day, and as the title suggests, it is a reflection on that specific day. The poem was published in his 1961 collection, Kaddish and Other Poems. While the poem may seem simple at first glance, it contains layers of meaning that can only be unraveled with a careful reading.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lines, "Today is a leap day. / Woman turned upside down -". The first line establishes the date, and the second line creates a striking image of a woman turned upside down. This line is open to interpretation; it could be interpreted as a metaphor for a world turned upside down or a reference to the carnival tradition of turning the world upside down on leap day.
As the poem progresses, Ginsberg takes us on a journey through his mind. He reflects on his past loves and the passage of time. He writes, "Thirty years ago I fancied myself / in love with a nineteen year old girl / who died -". This line is significant because it reveals the poet's vulnerability and his willingness to confront painful memories.
Throughout the poem, Ginsberg uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of his surroundings. He describes a "red brick building / with signs that say Saint Mark's / Place -". This line is a reference to the East Village neighborhood in New York City, where Ginsberg lived and where the Beat Generation flourished.
The poem takes a turn towards the end, where Ginsberg reflects on the nature of existence itself. He writes, "Time is a voice - / the smoke of my own breath -". This line is a reference to the Buddhist concept of impermanence, which asserts that everything in the world is constantly changing and nothing is permanent.
The poem ends with the lines, "I know / that nothing is holy -". This line is a reflection of Ginsberg's rejection of mainstream values and his belief in the search for spiritual liberation.
Interpretation
"Feb. 29, 1958" is a poem that is open to interpretation, and different readers may draw different meanings from it. However, one common interpretation is that the poem is a reflection of Ginsberg's search for meaning in a world that is constantly changing.
The references to the past loves and painful memories suggest that the poet is grappling with his own mortality and the fleeting nature of existence. The image of the woman turned upside down could be interpreted as a metaphor for the poet's own sense of disorientation in the world.
The references to the East Village and Saint Mark's Place suggest that Ginsberg saw these places as a sanctuary from the mainstream values that he rejected. The final line, "I know / that nothing is holy -" suggests that the poet is searching for something beyond the material world, something that transcends the values of mainstream society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Feb. 29, 1958" is a poem that deserves closer scrutiny. While it may seem simple at first glance, it contains layers of meaning that can only be unraveled with a careful reading. The poem is a reflection of Ginsberg's search for meaning in a world that is constantly changing, and his rejection of mainstream values.
The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complex emotions of the human experience. Ginsberg's use of vivid imagery and his willingness to confront painful memories make this poem a powerful work of literature. So the next time you pick up a book of poetry, remember to look beyond the words and explore the hidden meaning behind them.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Feb. 29, 1958: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Renewal
Allen Ginsberg, the iconic Beat poet, wrote Feb. 29, 1958 as a tribute to his lover, Peter Orlovsky, on the occasion of their leap year anniversary. The poem is a poignant reflection on the nature of love, the passage of time, and the possibility of renewal. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and examine its enduring relevance to contemporary readers.
The poem begins with a vivid image of the lovers lying in bed, surrounded by the detritus of their daily lives:
"Last night I dreamed of Tule Elk, Darkness and the river of sleep. But I woke up in a sweat And heard the rain."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is suffused with a sense of longing and loss. The Tule Elk, a species native to California, symbolizes the natural world that surrounds the lovers, while the river of sleep represents the unconscious realm of dreams. The rain, which wakes the speaker from his dream, is a metaphor for the tears that he sheds for his lost love.
The second stanza continues the theme of loss, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time:
"Today is the leap year day And I'm waiting for my man To come back from the city And take me by the hand."
The leap year day, which occurs only once every four years, is a symbol of the fleeting nature of time. The speaker is waiting for his lover to return, but he is also waiting for the renewal of their love, which he hopes will come with the passing of time.
The third stanza introduces the theme of renewal, as the speaker imagines a future in which he and his lover are reunited:
"We'll walk up the hill to the house Where the lilacs bloom in the spring. And we'll sit by the fire And hear the robins sing."
The image of the lilacs blooming in the spring is a symbol of renewal and rebirth, while the robins singing represents the joy and vitality of life. The speaker imagines a future in which he and his lover are reunited, and their love is renewed.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of loss, as the speaker reflects on the pain of separation:
"But now I'm alone in the bed And the rain is falling outside. And I'm thinking of my man And the tears that I've cried."
The image of the speaker alone in bed, with the rain falling outside, is a powerful symbol of his isolation and despair. The tears that he has cried are a testament to the depth of his love, and the pain of his loss.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the image of the Tule Elk:
"Last night I dreamed of Tule Elk, Darkness and the river of sleep. But I woke up in a sweat And heard the rain."
The repetition of the opening stanza creates a sense of circularity, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of longing and loss. However, the repetition also suggests the possibility of renewal, as if the speaker is dreaming of a future in which he and his lover are reunited.
In conclusion, Feb. 29, 1958 is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and renewal. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem captures the essence of the human experience, and speaks to the universal longing for connection and meaning. As we read this classic poem today, we are reminded of the enduring power of love, and the hope that springs eternal in the human heart.
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