'I Am 25' by Gregory Corso
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With a love a madness for Shelley
Chatterton Rimbaud
and the needy-yap of my youth
has gone from ear to ear:
I HATE OLD POETMEN!
Especially old poetmen who retract
who consult other old poetmen
who speak their youth in whispers,
saying:--I did those then
but that was then
that was then--
O I would quiet old men
say to them:--I am your friend
what you once were, thru me
you'll be again--
Then at night in the confidence of their homes
rip out their apology-tongues
and steal their poems.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Am 25: A Poem of Life, Youth, and Rebellion
Are you familiar with the works of Gregory Corso, the iconoclastic poet of the Beat Generation? If not, you're in for a treat, my fellow literary enthusiasts! And if you're already a fan, then you probably know that Corso's poetry is a delicious cocktail of wit, irreverence, and raw emotion, served with a generous dash of existential angst and social critique.
One of Corso's most famous poems, "I Am 25," captures the spirit of his generation, as well as his own personal struggles and aspirations. In just a few lines, Corso manages to paint a vivid picture of a young man's quest for identity, meaning, and rebellion against the stifling norms and values of society.
Let's take a closer look at this poem, shall we?
The Poem and Its Context
First things first, let's read the poem in full:
I am 25
With a love a madness for Shelley
Chatterton Rimbaud
And the needy-yap of my youth
Has gone from ear to ear:
In my nostrils lies the smell of
Time's sea-wrack
And the snarling of the winds of the years
But I,
I myself
Have not gone to the wars
Been red and sweet like blood to hear
The hoarse drums
And the ridden flags
And, in the ardent anonymity of the rebellious crews,
Love,
I have beaten my hands
Nakedly against the walls
For the right to see their eyes
Grown dim and close-fisted
And, starved,
I have presupposed the green
Quivering sun
As the emblem of my
Oneness
What strikes me first about this poem is its tone of youthful passion and rebellion. The speaker, who we can assume is Corso himself, declares his age as 25, which is a crucial detail. In the context of the Beat Generation, 25 was a significant age, marking a transition from youth to adulthood, but also a moment of crisis and questioning. For many Beat writers, including Corso, 25 was a time to reject the conformist values of mainstream society and embrace a more bohemian, non-conformist lifestyle.
The speaker also mentions his "love a madness for Shelley/ Chatterton Rimbaud," which are all famous poets associated with the Romantic and Symbolist movements of the 19th century. By invoking these poets, the speaker aligns himself with a tradition of artistic rebellion and individualism, while also expressing his own poetic influences and aspirations.
The phrase "the needy-yap of my youth" is interesting because it suggests a sense of vulnerability and insecurity, as well as a longing for something more meaningful and exciting than his mundane existence. The speaker also describes the passage of time as "Time's sea-wrack/ And the snarling of the winds of the years," which creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, but also a recognition of the transience and impermanence of life.
The next few lines are a bit cryptic, but they seem to suggest that the speaker has not taken part in any wars, either literal or metaphorical, and instead has sought rebellion and love in the company of other like-minded individuals. The reference to "the hoarse drums/ And the ridden flags" conjures up images of military marches and patriotic fervor, which the speaker rejects in favor of a more anarchic and poetic vision of freedom.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic and intriguing. The speaker claims to have "beaten [his] hands/ Nakedly against the walls/ For the right to see their eyes/ Grown dim and close-fisted," which could be interpreted in several ways. Perhaps he is talking about a literal act of rebellion or protest, or maybe he is describing the emotional and psychological struggle to break free from the constraints of society and find a sense of community and belonging. The reference to the "green/ Quivering sun" as an emblem of his oneness is a beautiful image that suggests a spiritual or mystical dimension to the speaker's quest for identity and meaning.
Analysis and Interpretation
So, what can we make of this poem, beyond its surface meaning? Well, one way to approach it is to consider its themes, motifs, and symbols in relation to Corso's other works and the broader context of the Beat Generation.
One of the most obvious themes of "I Am 25" is youth and rebellion. As I mentioned earlier, the speaker's age is a crucial detail that situates him within a generational cohort that rejected the values and norms of mainstream society in favor of a more radical, non-conformist lifestyle. The speaker's love for Shelley, Chatterton, and Rimbaud suggests a desire to emulate their poetic and rebellious spirit, while also acknowledging their influence on his own work.
Another important theme is identity and self-discovery. The speaker's declaration of "I, myself" suggests a desire to assert his individuality and autonomy, even as he seeks belonging and community with other like-minded individuals. The reference to the snarling winds of time and the passage of years creates a sense of urgency and mortality, reminding the reader that the quest for identity and meaning is a constant struggle against the forces of conformity and death.
The motif of rebellion and protest is also prominent in the poem, as the speaker rejects the symbols of militarism and patriotism in favor of a more anarchic and poetic vision of freedom. The act of beating one's hands against the walls could be seen as a metaphor for the struggle to break free from the constraints of society and find a sense of purpose and belonging.
The final symbol of the green quivering sun is perhaps the most intriguing and obscure image in the poem. It could be interpreted as a symbol of hope, renewal, or transcendence, suggesting that the speaker's quest for meaning and identity has a spiritual or mystical dimension beyond the material world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I Am 25" is a powerful and provocative poem that captures the spirit of the Beat Generation, as well as the personal struggles and aspirations of Gregory Corso himself. Its themes of youth, rebellion, identity, and spirituality resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, reminding us of the eternal quest for meaning and freedom in a world that often seeks to confine and control us. Whether you're a fan of Corso's poetry or a newcomer to his work, "I Am 25" is a must-read that will leave you with a sense of wonder, awe, and a desire to embrace your own inner rebel. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and let the madness begin!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Am 25: A Poem of Youthful Rebellion and Existential Angst
Gregory Corso's "I Am 25" is a classic poem of youthful rebellion and existential angst. Written in 1958, the poem captures the spirit of the Beat Generation, a group of writers and artists who rejected mainstream values and sought to create a new counterculture. Corso, a key figure in the Beat movement, was known for his raw, spontaneous style and his exploration of the darker aspects of human experience.
The poem begins with a declaration of the speaker's age: "I am 25." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of urgency and a desire to break free from the constraints of society. The speaker is young and full of energy, but he is also aware of the limitations that come with age and experience. He is at a crossroads in his life, and he is searching for meaning and purpose.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene: "I am 25 / With a love a madness / Tearing itself from me." The speaker is in the grip of a powerful emotion, which he describes as both love and madness. This emotion is tearing him apart, but he cannot let it go. It is a force that drives him forward, even as it threatens to consume him.
The second stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of existence: "Like a bird / With wings of bone / I soar / Onward, always onward / To what? / I do not know." The speaker compares himself to a bird, a symbol of freedom and flight, but he also acknowledges the fragility of his existence. His wings are made of bone, a reminder that he is mortal and vulnerable. He is flying onward, but he does not know where he is going. He is searching for something, but he does not know what it is.
The third stanza of the poem is a rejection of conventional values and a celebration of individuality: "But I am strong / In my youth / And I know / What I want: / Freedom, / To be wild, / To be myself." The speaker is proud of his youth and his strength, and he is determined to live life on his own terms. He wants to be free, to be wild, to be himself. He rejects the constraints of society and the expectations of others. He is a rebel, a nonconformist, a free spirit.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of death: "Yet, I cannot help / But wonder / What will become of me / When I am 30 / Or 40 / Or 50?" The speaker is aware that youth is fleeting and that time is a relentless force. He wonders what will become of him as he grows older. Will he lose his passion and his energy? Will he become jaded and disillusioned? Will he succumb to the inevitability of death?
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a defiant affirmation of life: "I might be dead / Tomorrow, / But I am alive today / And I am young / And I am free." The speaker acknowledges the fragility of life, but he refuses to be paralyzed by fear. He is alive today, and that is all that matters. He is young and free, and he will live life to the fullest. He will not be held back by the past or the future. He will embrace the present moment and seize the day.
In conclusion, "I Am 25" is a powerful poem that captures the spirit of the Beat Generation. It is a poem of youthful rebellion and existential angst, a meditation on the nature of existence and the passage of time. The speaker is a young man who is searching for meaning and purpose, who is torn between love and madness, who is determined to live life on his own terms. He is a rebel, a nonconformist, a free spirit. He is alive today, and he will not be held back by the past or the future. He is young and free, and he will soar onward, always onward, to whatever lies ahead.
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