Lew Welch Poetry

Lew Welch, a Beat Generation poet born in 1926, Arizona, was renowned for his vibrant, nature-inspired poetry and Gertrude Stein influence. A Reed College alumnus, he was close with poets Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen. Welch wrote advertising copy in New York before recommitting to poetry in California. He taught at the University of California Extension and was a prominent figure in San Francisco’s literary scene. Welch, who struggled with mental health, is presumed to have committed suicide in 1971, with his body never found.

Chicago Poem

Explore the harsh urban landscape and societal challenges in ‘Chicago Poem’ by Lew Welch, a thought-provoking reflection on mid-20th-century life.

Lew Welch was a poet of the Beat Generation, a literary movement started in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. 'Chicago Poem' is one of Welch's most well-known poems. It is a powerful and unflinching depiction of the city of Chicago, a place that Welch found to be both beautiful and terrifying. In the first part of the poem, Welch, with a lot of nuance, describes the city's industrial landscape, its polluted air, and its oppressive atmosphere. In the second part, he reflects on his relationship with Chicago.

I lived here nearly 5 years before I could

meet the middle western day with anything approaching

Dignity. It’s a place that lets you

understand why the Bible is the way it is:

Proud people cannot live here.

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links

Chicago Poem

Narrow Your Search

We Look Deep into Poetry

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links