Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Scatalogical Observations" by Allen Ginsberg is a bold and unabashed exploration of the human body's most basic functions. Ginsberg’s characteristic blend of candidness and irreverence shines through in this poem, transforming what many would consider taboo into a raw and honest reflection on human nature and existence.

The poem begins with the assertion, "The Ass knows more than the mind knows," immediately setting the tone for an exploration that prioritizes the body's natural processes over intellectual or societal constructs. This line suggests a primal wisdom inherent in the body's functions, a knowledge that is often overlooked or suppressed in favor of more 'refined' forms of understanding. The following lines, "Screaming crowds are covered with words / Tyrant radios covered with words / Hell’s televised, covered with words," contrast the natural, instinctual knowledge of the body with the overwhelming and often deceptive nature of language and media. Ginsberg critiques the superficial layers of words that cover the chaotic and often brutal reality of the world.

Ginsberg then directly addresses the reader, warning "Young romantic readers / Skip this part of the book." This playful yet serious caution underscores the poem's confrontational nature, inviting only those willing to engage with the unvarnished truths he presents. This invitation leads into the poem's core, where Ginsberg vividly describes the body's excretory functions: "Shit machine shit machine / I’m an incredible shit machine / Piss machine Piss machine / Inexhaustible piss machine." By repeating these phrases, Ginsberg emphasizes the relentless and essential nature of these bodily processes, challenging the reader to recognize and accept them as fundamental aspects of life.

The lines "Piss & shit machine / That’s the Golden Mean / Whether young or old / Move your bowels of gold" juxtapose the sacred and the profane, a recurring theme in Ginsberg's work. He elevates the act of defecation to the level of the "Golden Mean," a concept from classical philosophy denoting balance and harmony. This elevation of the mundane to the sublime is a hallmark of Ginsberg's poetry, encouraging a holistic view of the human experience that includes all its aspects, both celebrated and shunned.

Ginsberg's chorus, "Shit machine piss machine / I’m an incredible piss machine / Piss machine piss machine / Inexhaustible shit machine," is both humorous and profound. It serves as a reminder of the constancy and universality of these functions, reinforcing the idea that these processes are integral to our existence, irrespective of age or status.

The poem continues with a playful exploration of the varied nature of excrement: "Brown or black or green everything will be seen / Hard or soft or loose / Shit’s a glimpse of Truth." Here, Ginsberg suggests that the physical manifestations of our bodies can offer insights into deeper truths about life and nature. He further blurs the lines between the sacred and the profane with lines like "Beautiful male Madonnas / Wrathful Maids of Honor / To be frank & honest / Stink the watercloset," which juxtapose religious and regal imagery with the commonplace act of using a bathroom.

The poem culminates in the assertion that "Nature’s not obscene / Shit piss shit piss / How’ll I end my song? / Shit piss shit piss / Nature never wrong." Ginsberg challenges societal taboos by insisting that these natural processes are not obscene but are, in fact, integral parts of the human experience and nature itself. His repetition of "Shit machine Piss Machine" in the final chorus underscores the poem's central message: these functions are inexhaustible, undeniable truths of our existence.

"Scatalogical Observations" ultimately serves as a provocative and liberating reflection on the human body and its processes. Ginsberg's fearless exploration of these themes encourages readers to confront and accept the entirety of their humanity, recognizing the beauty and truth in even the most basic aspects of life.

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