Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Allen Ginsberg Dying" captures a poignant and tender farewell to the influential Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Ferlinghetti, a contemporary and friend of Ginsberg, crafts a narrative that blends both the public and personal aspects of Ginsberg's final days. Through a lyrical and reflective tone, Ferlinghetti explores themes of mortality, legacy, and the enduring power of the poet’s voice.

The poem begins with the stark declaration, "Allen Ginsberg is dying / It's all in the papers / It's on the evening news / A great poet is dying." This direct introduction situates Ginsberg's death within a broader public context, emphasizing the gravity of the loss felt not just by those close to him, but by the world at large. Ferlinghetti then shifts to a more intimate perspective: "In Lower Manhattan / in his own bed / he is dying / There is nothing / to do about it." Here, the focus narrows to Ginsberg’s private struggle in his final moments, revealing the inescapable reality that death touches even the greatest among us.

Ferlinghetti underscores the universality of death, noting that Ginsberg is "dying the death that everyone dies," but also highlights the distinctiveness of "the death of a poet." This line suggests that a poet’s death is different because their voice continues to resonate beyond their physical life. For Ginsberg, this voice remains "on the land," refusing to be silenced. Ferlinghetti presents an image of Ginsberg with a "telephone in his hand / and he calls everyone / from his bed in Lower Manhattan." The use of the telephone as a symbol of connection illustrates Ginsberg’s desire to reach out to those he loves and to share his final thoughts.

The global reach of Ginsberg's voice becomes apparent as "all around the world / late at night / the telephone is ringing / 'This is Allen' / The voice says / 'Allen Ginsberg calling.'" The repetition of "Allen" without the need for a last name emphasizes Ginsberg's singular presence in the world of poets, where "there is only one Allen." This worldwide network of poets serves as a testament to Ginsberg's influence and the profound connections he made throughout his life.

As the poem progresses, Ferlinghetti intertwines personal memories and mythical imagery, creating a rich tapestry that blends the historical with the symbolic. He recalls Ginsberg "over the Sea of Japan / where he once stood naked / trident in hand / like a young Neptune / a young man with black beard / standing on a stone beach." This depiction of Ginsberg as Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, reinforces his larger-than-life persona and the mythic quality of his presence.

The waves and seabirds around Ginsberg in this vision evoke a natural world that mourns his passing, with "waves break[ing] over him now / and the seabirds cry[ing] / on the San Francisco waterfront." The poem draws a direct connection between Ginsberg's voice and the sea, creating a sense of continuity that transcends his physical form. Ferlinghetti notes that "Allen is on the telephone / His voice is on the waves," suggesting that even in death, Ginsberg's spirit remains alive through his words.

Ferlinghetti’s reflections on Greek poetry introduce further layers of meaning. He recalls "The horses of Achilles / weep[ing] in it / here by the sea / in San Francisco / where the waves weep." The mention of Achilles’ horses mourning Patroclus’s death in "The Iliad" evokes the universal grief that accompanies the loss of a great figure. The waves "make a sibilant sound / a sibylline sound," whispering Ginsberg's name as though the sea itself is paying tribute to the poet.

In "Allen Ginsberg Dying," Ferlinghetti creates a powerful elegy that captures the sorrow and beauty of a poet’s passing. By blending the personal with the mythical, he ensures that Ginsberg’s legacy endures, his voice continuing to echo across the world, like the waves and the seabirds that cry out his name.

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