Allen Ginsberg would have been 100 today. He was one of the most influential poets of 'The Beat Generation'. All of us who considered ourselves 'groovy' mentioned him as often as possible, anyone NOT possessing a copy of his collection of poems entitled 'Howl' (1956) was decidedly 'un-cool'.
I met him briefly at our flat just off Cambridge Circus. He was an imposing figure, and I remember asking him (very humbly) if there was anything I could get for him.
"I'd really like a young boy" he replied. Initially I thought he was joking, but I don't think he was.
The above photo shows him standing in front of The Albert Hall. I seem to remember that he was participating in some avant garde 'Poetry Reading' evening there at the time, as a part of a festival. The photo must have been taken around the time we met.
I'm pleased that our paths crossed, even if it was for just a few fleeting minutes. I'm sure he bored all his friends about meeting me too!
6 comments:
Wow! Were you able to continue to admire his mind once you realized he was a pedaphile? That he could harm children? To me that is like the cannibalizing of a child's soul?
I had no idea before he said what he did. I thought he was joking. Then someone told me he wasn't. It certainly changed my view of him!!!
I remember the name, so popular back then, but didn't ever buy a book of his poetry. i liked to think of myself as a hippie for a while but it was very superfiicial. Long hair with a flower in my ear, flowing dresses and bare feet while I was a student. Bare feet are still acceptable in NZ. Theyve got clean pavements
You rubbed shoulders (but nothing else) with so many great personalities of the time
I lived in the right place, at the right time. I must read some of his work again now. I expect I'd view it very differently. I think we all felt OBLIGED to like it at the time.
One of Ginsberg's poems was titled, "Sweet Boy, Gimme Yr Ass". Though never convicted of paedophilia, he certainly had relationships with older boys. If he had lived in the current era, he would surely have found himself on the wrong side of the law. He died in 1997 and I suspect that some of his victims felt a sense of relief that day.
I think his poem 'Howl' was banned because of its drug and porn content. I can't actually remember much about it. I must re-read it one day.
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