Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Just Say Yes Calypso” is a politically charged piece that critiques the intertwined relationships between the United States, Middle Eastern politics, and the military-industrial complex. Through a rhythmic and satirical lens, Ginsberg reflects on historical events and their consequences, revealing the complexities and often hypocritical stances taken by powerful nations.

The poem opens with a reference to historical events involving Iran, specifically the CIA-led coup in 1953 that ousted Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah. “When Schwarzkopf’s Father busted Iran’s Mossadegh / They put in the Shah and his police the Savak” directly addresses the interference by the United States in Iran’s political landscape. This action, driven by the desire to control oil resources, led to decades of repression under the Shah’s regime and the eventual rise of the Ayatollah, culminating in the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

Ginsberg continues by highlighting the complex and often contradictory foreign policies of the United States. “Though he used poison gas, Saddam was still our man / But to aid the Contras, hadda also arm Iran” points to the U.S. support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War while simultaneously engaging in the Iran-Contra affair, a secret arrangement to fund Nicaraguan Contras through arms sales to Iran. This duality underscores the moral ambiguity and opportunism in U.S. foreign policy.

The poem then shifts to the broader historical and geopolitical context of the Middle East, referencing the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the colonial exploitation that followed: “Mesopotamia was doing just fine / Till the Ottoman Empire blew up on a mine.” Ginsberg critiques the Western powers for their roles in destabilizing the region and extracting its resources, leading to ongoing conflicts and turmoil.

Ginsberg’s use of biblical imagery, such as “apple orchards in Eden and Ur” and “The Garden foul’d up, brimstone came down,” juxtaposes the idealized past of Mesopotamia with the destructive present. The “Snake advised George Bush ‘This land is yours’” is a pointed metaphor, suggesting that modern political leaders, like the biblical serpent, have led nations into ruin through greed and deceit.

The poem’s satirical tone becomes more pronounced as Ginsberg critiques the environmental and social impacts of the oil industry. “The British & Americans & Frenchmen all / Took concessions in the Garden So the Garden took a fall” connects the exploitation of oil with environmental degradation and loss of paradise-like lands. The imagery of “acid ate the Parthenon” and “the Persian Gulf is dead and gone” emphasizes the destructive consequences of industrialization and pollution.

Ginsberg also addresses the pervasive addiction to fossil fuels: “The Saudi desert bloomed with oil pipe lines / To push the auto industry It’s yours & it’s mine.” This dependency fuels (both literally and metaphorically) the military and economic actions that perpetuate global conflicts. The lines “In a bullet-proof Caddie you can really move your ass” underscore the absurdity of this dependence, where personal luxury and security are prioritized over ecological and humanitarian concerns.

The poem culminates in a critique of contemporary military actions and propaganda. The “Mickey-Mouse war on cocaine & crack / We dropped a million bombs on the kids in Iraq” contrasts the trivialization of drug wars with the real, devastating impacts of military interventions. The closing lines, “When they wave a yellow ribbon & an oily flag / Just say yes or they’ll call you a flag,” challenge the reader to question blind patriotism and the often manipulative use of national symbols to garner support for dubious wars.

“Just Say Yes Calypso” is a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of exploitation and conflict driven by economic and political interests. Through his characteristic wit and incisive critique, Ginsberg urges the reader to recognize and resist the forces that perpetuate these cycles, advocating for a more sincere and ethical approach to global politics.

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