Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s "Elegy for Allen" is a reflective and poignant tribute to Allen Ginsberg, one of the most influential figures in American poetry, especially known for his association with the Beat Generation. The poem mourns not only the loss of Ginsberg himself but also the fading of a certain cultural and spiritual moment that he embodied. Through a mix of personal reminiscence, cultural critique, and a deep respect for Ginsberg’s contributions, Ostriker crafts an elegy that captures the complexity of his legacy.

The poem begins by acknowledging the "break in the fiber of things" that Ginsberg's death represents. This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, suggesting that his passing marked a significant rupture in the continuity of both the literary world and the broader cultural landscape. The use of the word "sorrowful" underscores the deep sense of loss that Ostriker feels, not just personally, but on behalf of a generation that looked to Ginsberg as a symbol of artistic freedom and spiritual exploration.

Ostriker’s observation that she still has students "wanting to be Beats / And even some / Wanting to be Buddhists" points to Ginsberg’s enduring influence. The Beat Generation, with its rejection of mainstream values and its embrace of alternative lifestyles and spiritual practices, continues to attract new adherents, even after the movement’s heyday. However, the tone here is tinged with a sense of loss, as if the students' desires are now unmoored from their original context, given that the "brilliant Jew poet" has "took / The train for the next world." This metaphorical train ride suggests Ginsberg's departure from the material world, and with him, a piece of "American nirvana" has also gone.

Ostriker then delves into Ginsberg's personal struggle with the tranquility that Buddhism supposedly offers. She describes him as "nervous" and "somehow ailing," highlighting the paradox of a man who, despite his pursuit of peace and enlightenment, never fully attained the calm he sought. The "neurotic utopian / Prophetic fairy side" of Ginsberg, as Ostriker puts it, indicates that his restlessness and visionary tendencies were integral to his identity, even if they conflicted with the more serene aspects of his spiritual aspirations.

The poem takes a more intimate turn when Ostriker recalls a comment from a friend, B—, who recounts Ginsberg’s habit of openly announcing his intentions to pursue romantic or sexual interests at social gatherings. This anecdote paints Ginsberg as someone who was unapologetically himself, even in situations that others might find awkward or inappropriate. It’s a reminder of Ginsberg’s candidness and his refusal to conform to societal expectations, traits that made him both beloved and controversial.

Ostriker’s declaration of Ginsberg as "The greatest Jewish poet / After Celan and Amichai" is both an assertion of his literary importance and a personal expression of grief. However, B—'s caution against trying to "sell him as a rabbi" reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of Ginsberg’s persona. While he may have embraced certain aspects of Jewish identity and spirituality, Ginsberg was far from a conventional religious figure. His "beads and bells / And dreams of peace" symbolize his eclectic and often syncretic approach to spirituality, blending elements of Judaism, Buddhism, and countercultural ideals in a way that defied easy categorization.

In "Elegy for Allen," Ostriker captures the essence of Ginsberg as a figure who was simultaneously profound and flawed, a man who sought enlightenment but was never fully at peace, and whose influence continues to resonate even after his death. The poem is a testament to Ginsberg’s enduring legacy as a poet who pushed the boundaries of what poetry could be, and as a cultural icon who represented the aspirations and contradictions of his time. Through her elegy, Ostriker not only mourns the loss of a great poet but also reflects on the ongoing relevance of his work and the void his absence leaves in the literary and spiritual landscape.

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