'Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning' by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
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There's a breathless hush on the freeway tonight
Beyond the ledges of concrete
restaurants fall into dreams
with candlelight couples
Lost Alexandria still burns
in a billion lightbulbs
Lives cross lives
idling at stoplights
Beyond the cloverleaf turnoffs
'Souls eat souls in the general emptiness'
A piano concerto comes out a kitchen window
A yogi speaks at Ojai
'It's all taking pace in one mind'
On the lawn among the trees
lovers are listening
for the master to tell them they are one
with the universe
Eyes smell flowers and become them
There's a deathless hush
on the freeway tonight
as a Pacific tidal wave a mile high
sweeps in
Los Angeles breathes its last gas
and sinks into the sea like the Titanic all lights lit
Nine minutes later Willa Cather's Nebraska
sinks with it
The sea comes over in Utah
Mormon tabernacles washed away like barnacles
Coyotes are confounded & swim nowhere
An orchestra onstage in Omaha
keeps on playing Handel's Water Music
Horns fill with water
ans bass players float away on their instruments
clutching them like lovers horizontal
Chicago's Loop becomes a rollercoaster
Skyscrapers filled like water glasses
Great Lakes mixed with Buddhist brine
Great Books watered down in Evanston
Milwaukee beer topped with sea foam
Beau Fleuve of Buffalo suddenly become salt
Manhatten Island swept clean in sixteen seconds
buried masts of Amsterdam arise
as the great wave sweeps on Eastward
to wash away over-age Camembert Europe
manhatta steaming in sea-vines
the washed land awakes again to wilderness
the only sound a vast thrumming of crickets
a cry of seabirds high over
in empty eternity
as the Hudson retakes its thickets
and Indians reclaim their canoes
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning: A Critique and Interpretation of Ferlinghetti's Poem
In his poem "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning," Lawrence Ferlinghetti explores the idea of a new world order—something that many poets and artists have done throughout history. However, Ferlinghetti's take on this topic is unique, as he blends the dream-like quality of his words with a sense of urgency and realism. In this critique and interpretation, we'll delve deeper into the themes, imagery, and style of this classic poem.
The Poem's Structure and Language
At first glance, "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" appears to be a relatively simple poem. It's a single stanza of 20 lines, with a consistent meter and rhyme scheme. The poem is written in free verse, with Ferlinghetti using enjambment to create a sense of flow and movement throughout the piece.
However, while the poem may appear straightforward on the surface, closer examination reveals a complexity of language and imagery that is characteristic of Ferlinghetti's work. The poem is filled with vivid, often surreal images that evoke a sense of wonder and possibility, while also hinting at darker, more ominous undertones.
The Theme of a New Beginning
The central theme of "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" is the idea of a fresh start—a new beginning for humanity. Ferlinghetti explores this theme through a series of vivid and often surreal images that suggest the possibility of a different, better world.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Ferlinghetti writes:
There's a breathless hush on the freeway tonight Beyond the ledges of concrete Restaurants fall into dreams With candlelight couples Lost Alexandria still burns
These lines evoke a sense of stillness and anticipation, as though the world is holding its breath in anticipation of something new and exciting. The image of "Lost Alexandria" burning suggests a sense of loss and destruction, but also hints at the possibility of rebirth and renewal.
Throughout the poem, Ferlinghetti uses a variety of images to suggest the idea of a new beginning. He writes of "a new world / rising from the ruins," of "new grass / pushing through the sidewalk cracks," and of "new babies / being born of love."
These images are often surreal and dreamlike, but they also suggest a sense of hope and possibility that is deeply rooted in reality. Ferlinghetti seems to be suggesting that, while the world may be full of darkness and despair, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful emerging from the ashes.
The Role of the Imagination
The idea of a new beginning is closely tied to the role of the imagination in Ferlinghetti's poem. Throughout the piece, Ferlinghetti suggests that the key to creating a better world lies in our ability to imagine it into existence.
For example, he writes:
The world is no longer a blank canvas To be painted with the colours of our dreams
These lines suggest that, in the past, the world was a place where anything was possible—we could paint it with the colours of our dreams. However, something has changed, and the world is no longer a blank canvas. It has become something fixed and unchanging, something that we must work to transform.
Later in the poem, Ferlinghetti writes:
The imagination is man's power over nature Even gods reside in such possibility
These lines suggest that the imagination is a powerful force that can shape the world around us. By using our imaginations, we can create a new reality—one that is more beautiful, more just, and more in line with our deepest desires.
The Dark Side of the Dream
While "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" is a poem that is full of hope and possibility, it also acknowledges the darker side of the dream. Throughout the piece, Ferlinghetti suggests that the world is a place of darkness and despair, and that the dream of a new beginning is not always an easy one.
For example, he writes:
We have only begun to imagine justice and mercy Only begun to envision how it might be To live as siblings with beast and flower Not as oppressors
These lines suggest that the dream of a new beginning is not just about creating a better world for humans, but about creating a more equitable and just world for all living beings. Ferlinghetti suggests that this is a difficult task, one that we have only just begun to imagine.
Later in the poem, Ferlinghetti writes:
And the dream we were conceived in Will reveal a joyful face And the world we once rejected Will greet us with a smile
These lines suggest that the dream of a new beginning is not just about the future, but about the past as well. The world that we have rejected—the world of darkness and despair—is also the world that has given birth to the dream. The dream is not just a rejection of the past, but a transformation of it—a way of turning darkness into light.
Conclusion
In "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning," Lawrence Ferlinghetti explores the theme of a new world order in a way that is both surreal and grounded in reality. Through a series of vivid images and a powerful use of language, Ferlinghetti suggests that the key to creating a better world lies in our ability to imagine it into existence.
However, Ferlinghetti also acknowledges that the dream of a new beginning is not an easy one. There is a darkness and despair that is deeply ingrained in the world, and creating a more just and equitable society will require a great deal of work and sacrifice.
Overall, "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a testament to Ferlinghetti's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a single, powerful work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning: An Analysis of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Classic Poem
Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" is a classic piece of literature that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. This poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores themes of hope, change, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "There's a breathless hush on the freeway tonight." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. The speaker is describing a moment of stillness and quiet on the freeway, as if the world is holding its breath in anticipation of something new and exciting.
The next few lines of the poem describe a world that is in a state of chaos and turmoil. The speaker describes "the whole world roars in pain tonight," and "the cities blaze in fearful symmetry." These lines paint a picture of a world that is on the brink of collapse, a world that is in desperate need of change.
Despite the chaos and turmoil, the speaker remains hopeful. They describe "wild dreams of a new beginning," and "a vision of the morning that the sunrise will bring." These lines suggest that the speaker believes that change is possible, that there is hope for a better future.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to describe a personal experience. They describe "a young woman in a wheelchair," who is "laughing and crying at the same time." This woman is a symbol of hope and resilience, despite the challenges she faces. The speaker sees her as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still joy and beauty to be found.
The poem then returns to its theme of hope and change. The speaker describes "a new breed of men," who are "emerging from the earth." These men are a symbol of the new beginning that the speaker has been dreaming of. They represent a new generation of people who are ready to create a better world.
The poem ends with the line, "And the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows." This line suggests that the old ways of thinking and doing things are no longer relevant. The speaker is calling for a revolution, a complete overhaul of the way things are done. They are urging people to embrace change and to work towards a better future.
Overall, "Wild Dreams Of A New Beginning" is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human condition. It explores themes of hope, change, and resilience, and encourages readers to embrace the idea of a new beginning. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for a better future.
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