Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Allen Ginsberg’s "Footnote to Howl" is a powerful and exuberant celebration of the sacredness inherent in all aspects of life. Through repetitive, fervent declarations of holiness, Ginsberg transforms the everyday and the profane into a divine experience, inviting readers to embrace a vision of the world where everything and everyone possesses intrinsic worth and sanctity.

The poem begins with a chant-like repetition: "Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!" This opening sets a tone reminiscent of religious liturgy, emphasizing a sense of reverence and devotion. By repeating "holy" fifteen times, Ginsberg underscores the idea that holiness permeates every facet of existence.

Ginsberg continues by affirming the sacredness of various aspects of life: "The world is holy! The soul is holy! The skin is holy! The nose is holy! The tongue and cock and hand and asshole holy! Everything is holy!" In listing different parts of the body and declaring them holy, Ginsberg challenges societal taboos and puritanical attitudes towards the physical and the sexual. This radical acceptance of the body underscores Ginsberg's belief in the inherent value of all human experiences, including those considered base or obscene.

The egalitarian spirit of the poem is evident in lines such as "everybody’s holy! everywhere is holy! everyday is in eternity! Everyman’s an angel! The bum’s as holy as the seraphim!" Here, Ginsberg erases the distinctions between the sacred and the profane, the high and the low. By equating the holiness of a bum with that of a seraphim, he emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their social status or mental state. This democratic vision of holiness reflects Ginsberg's broader social and political beliefs, advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Ginsberg extends his sanctification to the tools and artifacts of his craft: "The typewriter is holy the poem is holy the voice is holy the hearers are holy the ecstasy is holy!" By declaring these elements as holy, Ginsberg elevates the act of creation and communication to a divine level. The reference to "ecstasy" further underscores the transcendent nature of artistic expression, suggesting that the act of creation can bring one closer to a sense of spiritual fulfillment.

The poem also pays homage to Ginsberg's friends and fellow Beats: "Holy Peter holy Allen holy Solomon holy Lucien holy Kerouac holy Huncke holy Burroughs holy Cassady." By naming these individuals, Ginsberg situates his personal relationships within a sacred context, affirming their importance in his life and work. This litany of names serves as a testament to the profound connections and shared experiences that shaped the Beat movement.

Ginsberg's expansive vision of holiness extends to various elements of contemporary culture and society: "Holy the bop apocalypse! Holy the jazzbands marijuana hipsters peace peyote pipes & drums! Holy the solitudes of skyscrapers and pavements! Holy the cafeterias filled with the millions!" These lines reflect Ginsberg's appreciation for the diverse and often contradictory aspects of modern life. He finds sanctity in the chaos and vibrancy of urban environments, the rhythms of jazz, and the countercultural practices of his time.

The poem culminates in a cosmic embrace of time, space, and existence: "Holy time in eternity holy eternity in time holy the clocks in space holy the fourth dimension holy the fifth International holy the Angel in Moloch!" Ginsberg's invocation of abstract concepts alongside historical and mythical references highlights his expansive, all-encompassing vision. He recognizes the interconnectedness of all things, viewing time, space, and human history as part of a larger, sacred continuum.

In the final lines, Ginsberg celebrates the core values that underpin his vision of holiness: "Holy forgiveness! mercy! charity! faith! Holy! Ours! bodies! suffering! magnanimity! Holy the supernatural extra brilliant intelligent kindness of the soul!" These values reflect Ginsberg's deep commitment to compassion, empathy, and understanding. By sanctifying these virtues, he affirms their centrality to the human experience and their role in fostering a more just and loving world.

"Footnote to Howl" is a powerful and uplifting affirmation of the sanctity of all aspects of life. Through his exuberant language and inclusive vision, Allen Ginsberg invites readers to embrace the holiness within themselves and the world around them, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary and the mundane into the divine.

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