Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem "Ladakh Buddhess Biker" combines vivid imagery, spiritual symbolism, and contemporary cultural references to portray a mystical female figure riding a motorcycle through the streets of San Francisco. The poem is a playful yet thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between spirituality and modern life.

The poem opens with the speaker encountering the "Ladakh Buddhess" on "the corner of Columbus & Broadway," immediately situating the reader in a specific urban environment. Ladakh, a region in northern India known for its Buddhist heritage, serves as the source of the poem's mystical imagery. The "Buddhess" is depicted as watching the speaker with "witchy eyes," suggesting a combination of enchantment and insight.

Ferlinghetti then describes the "gold button on her temple between the eyes with the blue pupils," evoking the imagery of a bindi, a traditional mark worn on the forehead that symbolizes spiritual insight. Her "blue eyebrows not designed to blink" and "eyelids like fenders on old Oldsmobiles" give her an otherworldly appearance, blending the spiritual with the mechanical. The reference to Oldsmobiles infuses the poem with retro Americana, suggesting that this mystical figure exists in a timeless space that bridges ancient spirituality and modern culture.

The Buddhess’s "corneas red and blue / as if from loving & weeping too much / over our samsara" reveal her compassion and empathy for the suffering of the world. In Buddhism, "samsara" refers to the cycle of death and rebirth, representing the worldly existence that traps people in suffering. The Buddhess’s emotional state reflects her deep concern for humanity’s condition.

Her "headlight eyes" shine "as if the sight of me / might make her finally lower those heavy lids," implying a powerful gaze that both illuminates and judges. The metaphor of "headlight eyes" connects her mystical insight with the practical illumination of a motorcycle headlight, emphasizing her ability to navigate the darkness of modern life.

Ferlinghetti continues to build her image, describing how she is "seated on a huge hog called Harley / her leather legs hugging its body / in a retro lotus position." The "hog called Harley" refers to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, often colloquially known as a "hog." The Buddhess’s "retro lotus position" blends the meditative posture of traditional Buddhism with the rebellious spirit of biker culture, suggesting that she embodies both spiritual discipline and freedom.

As the traffic light changes, "she roars off / still unblinking through the late late traffic / of our Kali Yuga age." The reference to "Kali Yuga" situates the poem within Hindu cosmology, where Kali Yuga represents the current age of decline and moral corruption. The Buddhess’s unblinking departure through this chaotic traffic implies her unwavering determination to navigate the moral and spiritual challenges of the modern world.

In "Ladakh Buddhess Biker," Ferlinghetti uses a combination of spiritual imagery, pop culture references, and vivid metaphors to create a unique portrait of a mystical figure who transcends the mundane. The poem serves as a reflection on the resilience of spirituality amidst the distractions and challenges of contemporary life. By blending the sacred and the secular, Ferlinghetti presents a vision of hope and empowerment in an age marked by confusion and complexity.

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