Howl by Allen Ginsberg and that feeling.

I picked up this book of poetry thanks to Hulu+. The documentary Howl, staring James Franco, follows the court case against San Francisco publisher Lawerence Ferlinghetti of City Lights Book Store. Ferlinghetti was arrested on obscenity charges for publishing the short book of poems. The court case brought to light questions such as the definition of great literature, cultural significance in its time, and the first ammendment at work.

The movie reveals the connections of Ginsberg to Jack Kerouac, Carl Salomon, and Neal Cassady. It brought me back to my love for Americana literature. Noteworthy novels I put in this category include White Noise by Don DeLillo, American Pastoral by Philip Roth, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and of course Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. I am excited for the creativity awoken within me thanks to this movie and the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. If you are a true artist, no matter what your medium, this book is for you.

This post isn’t so much about Howl as it is about that feeling you have when you feel inspired, open, vulnerable, and ready. I read Howl in July 2014 and revisited it this month. I got that feeling again, and this time I need to chase it. I also blame the movie Stuck In Love for that feeling (online streaming via Netflix). Please watch. I haven’t felt inspired to write in a long time. It’s like finding an old friend all over again. Warm, light, open to life.

“Flowers which as in a dream at sunset I watered faithfully not knowing how much I loved them.” from Transcription of Organ Music by Allen Ginsberg

Rating: 5 Teeth