Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Allen Ginsberg's "G.S. Reading Poesy at Princeton" is a vivid, contemplative reflection on a poetry reading by Gary Snyder at Princeton. Through rich imagery and profound allusions, Ginsberg explores themes of aging, wisdom, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and spirit.

The poem opens with a detailed description of Gary Snyder: "Gold beard combd down like chinese fire / gold hair braided at skullnape— / gold turning silver soon—worn face young / forehead wrinkled, deep-boned smile, / tiny azure earring, turquoise finger stone, / Paramita beads centered by ivory skull-nut." Ginsberg paints Snyder as a figure of wisdom and spiritual depth, his golden beard and hair symbolizing both his vitality and the encroaching silver of age. The "tiny azure earring" and "turquoise finger stone" suggest a connection to the natural and mystical, while the "Paramita beads centered by ivory skull-nut" indicate a deep engagement with Buddhist practice and contemplation.

Snyder is depicted sitting cross-legged on a Princeton couch, embodying a sense of calm and meditative presence: "On Deer Mountain, in ship’s iron belly, / sat crosslegged on Princeton couch, / body voice rumbling Bear Sutra to younger selves." This image juxtaposes the tranquility of nature with the institutional setting of Princeton, highlighting Snyder's role as a bridge between different worlds. His voice, described as "rumbling Bear Sutra," conveys a sense of power and groundedness, resonating deeply with the younger generation.

Ginsberg then shifts focus to the audience, particularly a "half-Indian boy" whose "face so serious woe’d by tree suffering." This young man's empathy extends beyond humanity to the natural world, reflecting a profound connection to the environment: "he’s more compassionate to bear, skunk, deer, coyote, hemlock, whale / than to his own new-sprung cock." This line poignantly captures the boy's sensitivity and the challenge of balancing personal desires with broader ecological concerns.

The poem's invocation of "Lizard Dharma" and the sound of "Aums thru elm bough & rock canyon" emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life and the spiritual resonance found in nature. Ginsberg’s reference to "hymn to bone-chaliced minds now multiplied / over planet colleges" suggests that the wisdom being shared at Princeton extends far beyond its immediate setting, touching countless lives and minds across the globe.

Ginsberg nostalgically reflects on the past, evoking the spirits of literary figures like Fitzgerald and Kerouac: "Fitzgerald himself’d weep to see student faces celestial, / longhaired angelic Beings planet-doomed / to look thru too many human eyes." This reference highlights the continuity of literary and poetic traditions, as well as the burden and beauty of human consciousness.

The poem concludes with a meditation on time and the cyclical nature of existence: "Princeton in Eternity! Long years fall, December’s woods in snow / Old poets half century ago their bones / cracked up in death alcohol trembling in immortal eyes, / Fitzgerald & Kerouac weeping, on earth once— / earth’s voice moves time, old vows and prophecies remembered, / mountain prayers repeated, Gary’s voice echoes hollow / under round electric lamps." Ginsberg situates the present moment within a larger historical and spiritual framework, acknowledging the contributions of past poets and the enduring power of their words. The image of "mountain prayers repeated" and "Gary’s voice echoes hollow under round electric lamps" suggests a timeless transmission of wisdom, bridging past and present.

In "G.S. Reading Poesy at Princeton," Allen Ginsberg masterfully captures the essence of a poetry reading as a moment of deep connection and reflection. Through rich descriptions and thoughtful allusions, he explores themes of aging, wisdom, and the enduring impact of poetic and spiritual traditions. The poem serves as a tribute to Gary Snyder and the transformative power of poetry, while also acknowledging the broader literary and spiritual lineage that continues to inspire and resonate.

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