Synder, Ginsberg, Kerouac

I would like to begin by commenting on Howl by Allen Ginsberg.  This poem or short story or whatever this is seems to remind me of a modern version of Edgar Allen Poe.  After reading this my mind was very disturbed by the images that he has created.  In my opinion it seems that he is either trying to critique America or the world/humanity in general.  Throughout he mentions various states which I think is interesting and noteworthy—perhaps he is trying to focus more on the United States.  He talks about people chaining themselves to subways and the failing law enforcement system.  While this short story does seem to present some grotesque images they are certainly poetic.  One in particular that stood out to me was “returning years later truly bald except for a wig of blood, tears and fingers” (pg.1360).  While this is a disturbing image it is also I guess lack of a better word—beautiful.  I am slightly worried about my comment I just made, nevertheless, it’s an image that sticks in my brain and I can picture it clearly on a canvas.  I wonder if anyone else thought about this image and has any insight into it further.  I thought the second part was interesting with the speaker crying out to “Moloch” who is stated in the footnotes as a fire god.  This cannot be a coincidence.  My own interpretation seems to say that this fire god should destroy all of the filth in the world that humanity has created.  Like the speaker says “Mad Generation” (pg.1362).  Maybe we have become so corrupt that the speaker wishes to show his audience what we have become.  And then what’s with “Rockland”?  Another image that stood out to me is “where we hug and kiss the United States under our bedsheets the United States that coughs all night and won’t let us sleep” (pg. 1363).  I was hoping for some opinions or other insights into this imagery.

On a less disturbing yet sad note is Snyder in August on Sourdough, A Visit from Dick Brewer.  I’m not sure if these two are lovers or friends but at any rate the one must bid a goodbye to the other after spending a night reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company.