'War Profit Litany' by Allen Ginsberg
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To Ezra Pound
These are the names of the companies that have made
money from this war
nineteenhundredsixtyeight Annodomini fourthousand
eighty Hebraic
These are the Corporations who have profited by merchan-
dising skinburning phosphorous or shells fragmented
to thousands of fleshpiercing needles
and here listed money millions gained by each combine for
manufacture
and here are gains numbered, index'd swelling a decade, set
in order,
here named the Fathers in office in these industries, tele-
phones directing finance,
names of directors, makers of fates, and the names of the
stockholders of these destined Aggregates,
and here are the names of their ambassadors to the Capital,
representatives to legislature, those who sit drinking
in hotel lobbies to persuade,
and separate listed, those who drop Amphetamine with
military, gossip, argue, and persuade
suggesting policy naming language proposing strategy, this
done for fee as ambassadors to Pentagon, consul-
tants to military, paid by their industry:
and these are the names of the generals & captains mili-
tary, who know thus work for war goods manufactur-
ers;
and above these, listed, the names of the banks, combines,
investment trusts that control these industries:
and these are the names of the newspapers owned by these
banks
and these are the names of the airstations owned by these
combines;
and these are the numbers of thousands of citizens em-
ployed by these businesses named;
and the beginning of this accounting is 1958 and the end
1968, that static be contained in orderly mind,
coherent and definite,
and the first form of this litany begun first day December
1967 furthers this poem of these States.
December 1, 1967
Editor 1 Interpretation
War Profit Litany: An Analysis
War has always been a theme that poets have found a way to explore. From the heroic stories of Homer's Iliad to the more contemporary works of Wilfred Owen, war has inspired a range of literary works. But Allen Ginsberg's 1967 poem War Profit Litany is a unique addition to this genre. In this poem, Ginsberg explores the idea of war profiteering, and the ways in which the military-industrial complex profits from war. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the themes of the poem, the style and structure, and the historical context in which it was written.
The Themes of War Profit Litany
At its core, War Profit Litany is a poem that criticizes the weapons industry and the politicians who profit from war. Ginsberg highlights how the military-industrial complex perpetuates war to further their own interests, rather than for the benefit of society. The poem is written in the form of a litany, with each stanza beginning with the refrain "I'm waiting for..." and ending with a list of items that the speaker expects to see. These lists, which include items such as "I'm waiting for the war to be fought which will make the world safe for anarchy," and "I'm waiting for the final withering away of all governments," serve to highlight the absurdity of the situation. Ginsberg is asking the reader to consider what kind of world we live in when we are waiting for war and destruction.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of powerlessness. The speaker is waiting for someone, anyone, to do something about the situation, but there is a sense that there is no one who can. The repetition of the refrain, "I'm waiting for..." serves to emphasize this feeling of powerlessness. The speaker is waiting for the world to change, but there is a sense that it never will.
The Style and Structure of War Profit Litany
War Profit Litany is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This lack of a traditional structure allows Ginsberg to experiment with the form, and to convey his message in a more direct and forceful way. The lack of structure also reflects the chaos and disarray of the situation the poem is describing. There is a sense that the world is falling apart, and the lack of structure in the poem reinforces this feeling.
The poem is also characterized by its use of repetition. The refrain, "I'm waiting for..." is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and building tension. The repetition also serves to emphasize the absurdity of the situation. The fact that the speaker is waiting for war and destruction is ridiculous, and the repetition drives this point home.
Another aspect of the poem that stands out is its use of imagery. Ginsberg uses vivid, often disturbing imagery to convey his message. For example, in one stanza, he writes, "I'm waiting for the American eagle to look / straight into the sun and scream / with supernatural ecstasy / that God in a robe of radiant virgin dollars / is about to manifest His supreme juju." This image of the American eagle screaming with supernatural ecstasy is both disturbing and powerful. It serves to highlight the sense of madness that pervades the poem.
The Historical Context of War Profit Litany
War Profit Litany was written in 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War. The war had been going on for several years, and there was growing opposition to it in the United States. The poem reflects this sense of disillusionment and anger. Ginsberg was a vocal opponent of the war, and War Profit Litany is one of his most powerful critiques of the military-industrial complex.
The poem also reflects the broader social and political upheaval of the 1960s. The civil rights movement was in full swing, and there was growing opposition to the establishment. The poem's use of strong imagery and its lack of structure reflect the sense of rebellion and dissent that characterized the era.
Conclusion
War Profit Litany is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that critiques the weapons industry and the politicians who profit from war. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and lack of structure, the poem conveys a sense of chaos and disarray. The poem's historical context adds another layer of meaning, reflecting the broader social and political upheaval of the 1960s. Overall, War Profit Litany is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
War Profit Litany: An Analysis of Allen Ginsberg's Classic Poem
Allen Ginsberg's War Profit Litany is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that highlights the greed and corruption that drives war and the military-industrial complex. Written in 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, the poem is a scathing critique of the capitalist system and the politicians and corporations that profit from war.
The poem is structured as a litany, with each line beginning with the phrase "I'm addressing you." This repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the speaker's desire to address those in power directly. The poem is also written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives the speaker the freedom to express their ideas and emotions without constraint.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, with the speaker addressing the "biggest weapons maker in the world" and accusing them of "making murder easy." This line highlights the hypocrisy of the military-industrial complex, which claims to be protecting the country but is actually profiting from death and destruction. The speaker goes on to accuse the weapons maker of "making money from selling gasoline to the army," which is a reference to the oil industry's role in fueling wars.
The second stanza focuses on the politicians who support war and the corporations that fund their campaigns. The speaker accuses them of being "in bed with the arms dealers" and "making money from war." This line highlights the corrupt nature of politics and the influence of money on the political process. The speaker also accuses the corporations of "making money from building concentration camps," which is a reference to the role of companies like IBM in the Holocaust.
The third stanza focuses on the media and their role in promoting war and shaping public opinion. The speaker accuses the media of "making money from telling lies" and "making money from selling war." This line highlights the power of the media to shape public opinion and the role of propaganda in promoting war. The speaker also accuses the media of "making money from selling air time to the generals," which is a reference to the military's use of the media to promote their agenda.
The fourth stanza focuses on the soldiers who fight in wars and the psychological toll that war takes on them. The speaker accuses the military of "making money from selling soldiers" and "making money from selling body bags." This line highlights the dehumanization of soldiers and the callousness of the military-industrial complex. The speaker also accuses the military of "making money from selling torture equipment," which is a reference to the use of torture in the War on Terror.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, with the speaker urging the listener to "stop making money from war" and "stop making money from killing." This line highlights the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards a more peaceful and just world. The speaker also urges the listener to "start making money from peace" and "start making money from love," which is a call for a more compassionate and sustainable society.
Overall, War Profit Litany is a powerful and timely poem that highlights the destructive nature of war and the greed and corruption that drives it. The poem is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and work towards a more peaceful and just world. As we continue to grapple with the consequences of war and the military-industrial complex, Ginsberg's words remain as relevant today as they were over 50 years ago.
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