Borbatr (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

just freaking beautiful.

zemechanism (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

isnt this poem really serious?

jonagwoo (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Not all beat poetry is completely serious. In fact, kerouac liked to think of all of his books being a series of comedic adventures

AnotherMikeMiranda (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

The static adds to the listening experience, I like it.

iglooworkshop (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

how about running some noise reduction filter??

annelise125 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

This is different from one I have in a book but still just as brilliant.

garrettstewart (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

perhaps the people are laughing at themselves - would that not be the intention of the poem. people laugh for more reasons than mere comedy - a lot of times i laugh because of a revelation or being overtaken by happiness. i think that's what is so amazing about ginsberg - he understands that there is more to the act of laughing than just ridicule.

arseflute (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I know what you mean, I have always thought of it as a serious poem. It's nice to hear him read it like this though. I prefer the original, or the one he recorded properly anyway. This is an incredible poem.

firestormpheonix (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I don't think it's supposed to be completely serious - I laughed at the line "when can I walk into a store and buy what I want with my good looks"

hiddeninromance (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

hmmmmm Ginsberg's poems can often be interpreted as being comic; but obviously there is some dark content in themx