‘Howl’ Of Ginsberg

Ginsberg reading his poetry in Washington Square, August 1966.

The Beat poet famous for 16th century hallmarks, open homosexuality, and the Black Mountains is said to have written at least 3,700 letters in his lifetime. “The Letters of Allen Ginsberg” edited by Bill Morgan contain 165 of those letters. I don’t think anyone can deny the interest in reading poetic missives, especially Ginsberg because of his candidness. I’ve read some of the material in Temple’s library but Paley doesn’t juxtapose like Morgan here. The book of letters is fascinating and I highly recommend investing into it; or at least going to Barnes and Noble to indulge yourself. An article written by James Cambell of the New York Times portrays some of the madness and gladness of Ginsberg, and the riprap that armours the Black Mountain streams. The beautiful poem ‘Howl’ is a dedication to, patient of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Carl Soloman.