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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


UPTOWN by ALLEN GINSBERG

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: YELLOW-LIT BUDWEISER SIGNS OVER OAKEN BARS
Last Line: and "Bless you sir" I added as he went to his fate in the rain, dapper Irishman.
Subject(s): HATE;

Yellow-lit Budweiser signs over oaken bars,
I've seen everything-the bartender handing me change of $10,
I stared at him amiably eyes thru an obvious Adamic beard-
with Montana musicians homeless in Manhattan, teenage
curly hair themselves-we sat at the antique booth & gossiped,
Madame Grady's literary salon a curious value in New York-
If I had my way I'd cut off your hair and send you to Vietnam-
Bless you then I replied to a hatted thin citizen hurrying to the barroom door
upon wet dark Amsterdam Avenue decades later-
And if I couldn't do that I'd cut your throat he snarled farewell,
and "Bless you sir" I added as he went to his fate in the rain, dapper Irishman.




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