Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Report on a Happening in Washington Square San Francisco" is a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, published in his 1961 collection, "A Coney Island of the Mind."

Explanation:

The poem is a documentation of a happening, a term coined in the 1960s to describe an experimental, often public performance or event that often involved music, art, and poetry. Ferlinghetti describes the gathering in Washington Square, San Francisco, where he reads poetry to a crowd while musicians play in the background. The poem is a reflection on the energy and creativity of the Beat generation and the countercultural movement of the time.

Poetic Elements:

• Structure: The poem consists of nine stanzas of varying lengths, with irregular line lengths and no rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: Ferlinghetti uses vivid, sensory language to capture the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the happening. For example, he describes "drummers drumming under the trees," "horn players wailing," and "a chorus of young voices/ singing/ in the night."
• Repetition: The phrase "and everything was happening" appears several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of chaos and excitement of the event.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is celebratory and exuberant, capturing the spirit of the counterculture movement.

Conclusion:

"Report on a Happening in Washington Square San Francisco" is a snapshot of a particular moment in the Beat generation, capturing the spirit of experimentation and creativity of the time. The poem celebrates the power of art and community to bring people together and inspire change.

Snippet:

"and everything was happening/ all at once/ the voices and drums and horns/ and everything was happening/ and it was beautiful/ and everything was happening"