Lawrence Ferlinghetti was an American poet and painter. He is also remembered as a social activist. He authored books of poetry, criticism, and film narration. His best-known collection, and his first, A Coney Island of the Mind, was published in 1958. He also published several of the Beat Poets throughout their careers.
‘Dog’ by Lawrence Ferlinghetti is a philosophically complex poem that uses the perspective of a dog to speak on free will and religion.
The dog trots freely in the street
and sees reality
and the things he sees
‘Two Scavengers in a Truck, Two Beautiful People in a Mercedes’ by Lawrence Ferlinghetti explores wealth and class differences in the United States.
At the stoplight waiting for the light
nine a.m. downtown San Francisco
a bright yellow garbage truck
with two garbagemen in red plastic blazers
‘Milano-Bruxelles’ by Lawrence Ferlinghetti is a poem that vividly describes the landscapes that pass by as a train travels across Western Europe.
Lost train shunted
through the Simplon Tunnel
as through a telescope
and out through the white peaks
Lawrence Ferlinghetti passionately urges poets to break free, engage the world, and speak out for transformative change.
Poets, come out of your closets,
Open your windows, open your doors,
You have been holed-up too long
in your closed worlds.
‘Constantly Risking Absurdity’ was first published in 1958 in his collection A Coney Island of the Mind: Poems. The speaker goes on to say that the poet is a “super realist” while at the same time making his way towards where “Beauty stands and waits”.
Wild Dreams of a New Beginning’ is the imaginary destruction of the modern world that concludes with a questionable return to peaceful wilderness.
support@poemanalysis.com
Poem Solutions Limited
Company no: 10883994
United Kingdom
Access Poetry PDF Guides
for this Poem
Complete Poetry PDF Guide
Perfect Offline Resource
Covers Everything You Need to Know
One-pager 'snapshot' PDF
Great Offline Resource
Gateway to deeper understanding
870+ Reviews
