Drastic allusions, when “saintly motorcyclists” enjoy themselves with sexual abuse, in postwar Germany of the fifties would have been unthinkable. Because of its long peaceful period America was much more progressive than the Old World.

This poem is a must-read for all artists. It has stood the test of time, as it continues to be relevant many years after it was written.

Leave your criticism at the door and read the entire thing. It is brilliant. ( )

This is a work of staggering angry brilliance. If there was such a thing as time travel what would it be like to go back to when Ginsberg first read it aloud in public in San Francisco. If only ( )

The holy grail for 'Howl' appreciators.

This is the first known recording of Howl, made during a reading Allen Ginsberg gave in Portland Oregon with Gary Snyder. Read the story of how this recording was discovered in the Reed College library many years later here: John Suiter, Winter 2008. 'When the Beats Came Back.' Reed Magazine at:
http://web.reed.edu/reed_magazine/winter...