Howl," the poem that would bring Ginsberg fame and actually put him on trial for his apparently "obscene," honest, and groundbreaking poem. The poem revolves around his experiences leading up to and during his time with the other Beat Poets; he mentions drugs, nudity, crime, curse words, etc. The poem was briefly banned, but is available to the public today. To quote Ginsberg himself, "I'm a stenographer of my mind. I write down what passes through it, not what goes on around me. I'm a poet."
Quick Picks
Here are a few books and poetry collections that will help you get more acquainted with the inside Allen Ginsberg's mind. Below are some great black and white photography that will also help get you right in the mood of the Beat Generation.
