The night walks the weathered wood along side thirsty souls hunting for answers
within every steel body of fallacious light and color,
aroused fleshy bodies probing in clammy delight, smoking their bills,
they will lick the dried gelati from their hands then go for more,
loving the chill that breaks the fever,
their mouths will envelop their cigarettes as if they were the fingers of great
lovers, sucking till there's nothing left big enough to hold,
they will drink up the sours given to them by the waitresses who go home
to their cats, chocolate ice cream, and unsent letters,
then some will act like lions looking to mate, the males have to be ferocious
to turn on the females, but they know how to fake,
when they're finished their hands will then rub the green felt of the tables,
till there is a climax, even if it takes all night,
they will pray to God, although they don't know Him, so they really only pray
to the ocean, hoping that it won't rise,
they will run their hands through their hair, hard and determined, till the sea salt
permeates the skin and is sweet to taste,
they will feel the delusive flashes picking at their retinas, but one does not
have to see to have an impossible dream,
they will no longer have ears that can listen to the breaking waves
effervesce heavenward,
they may not ever hear their babies laugh, their lovers pant,
the thunder moving away,
still the night stays along side of them, placating and agitating their bodies,
burning and quenching every breath
Author notes
A.C. stands for Atlantic City, NJ. I wrote this for a grad class in a weak attempt to imitate Ginsberg. I kinda liked the poem even though it wasn't much of an imitation. Besides, who can or should imitate Ginsberg anyway ??? Enjoy!
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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There was a time when I would not have squandered my time and energies on reading poetry that was grim and somber in nature such as this. I have since discovered that every visionary has something to infer and their own flavor or spice to add to the thoughts that so many of us do in fact share. I appreciate the creativity you have infused within the lines broadcast here at Allpoetry and the effort it took to voice them. I am glad I chose to read this as I would have missed a real treat.
♥ Touchof1der -
For some reason, I'm reminded of what Anton LaVey said about the Catholics he saw at carnivals, sinning relentlessly and then begging forgiveness on Sunday, only to go back to the carnival. I quite liked this, it flowed very nicely. I do feel the Ginsberg influence, and it worked extremely well in this piece. Very good work, keep it up
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This is a great poem. It doesn't give you any room to think about something else, It keeps you going until the very end. You did a great job with imagery. It made me imagine me being there. You did such a great job of capturing the essense of this experience. Good job, and this is amazing. You are gonna be very successful in your writing
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This poem had really good description, it's kind of amazing, but then again I'm bad with description so it's not something I often see. Beautiful imagery as well. Kudos to you!
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I loved this poem. It was so strong in description and it's imagery. I was almost sad when it ended. Keep writing and best wishes.
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I haven't personally read Ginsberg before. From my interpretation of him based on your emulation, his style is very descriptive and has an erotic flavor to it. The poem seemed to be about a date, even though the poem didn't directly say it was a date. It seems that it's spring time, because the couple wouldn't go out when it's too hot (summer) or too cold (winter). spring time alludes to mating season as well
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I was all set to write here that I must be diminished in my commenting ability as I do not believe I have read anything by Allen (is it Allen? I don't even know) Ginsberg. (I get the feeling I just wrote something really stupid.) But I am not going to suggest that... rather I am going to say that I am glad that I haven't. Had I, instead, I might have spent the entire read trying to draw some sort of comparison, even if the effort was unconscious. That was unburdened by this allowed me to enjoy your writing for the wonderful descriptive and imaginative qualities it possess. There is not enough decent analogy/similie oriented work available these days. Funny that.
~Das
PS - Check out the Raven contest (20,000 points and cash) coming to Allpoetry this June.
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