Peter Orlovsky and Janine Pommy Vega, 2007.
fuck yeah beatniks
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Beatniks were artists and writers who started a literature-based sociocultural movement in 1950s America. This Tumblr is all about them, their work, their inspirations, and those they inspired. I also include the evolution of faux beat culture into a 1950s pop trend as well as how the beatniks' influence continues today. I apologize for any reposts; it's difficult to remember what I have and have not shared.
This blog is run by a hip cat named Cat.
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This blog is run by a hip cat named Cat.
(Source: gaspformore)
(Source: afterlalon)
Challenges to Young Poets by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Invent a new language anyone can understand.
Climb the Statue of Liberty.
Reach for the unattainable.
Kiss the mirror and write what you see and hear.
Dance with wolves and count the stars, including the unseen.
Be naïve, innocent, non-cynical, as if you had just landed on earth (as indeed…
Anonymous asked: Can you share your thesis for your "Jews and Buddhism" paper?
It was actually a response paper after a documentary screening at my college. We watched Belief Amended, Faith Revealed and had a discussion with the director, Bill Chayes. (He’s a nice guy. A little overly-serious about his films, but hey, that can be good.)
I focused my paper on my delight in seeing the way many ethnic Jews combined parts of traditional Judaism with practices of Buddhism and zen. (The film provides numerous examples, including Ginsberg.) From a personal perspective, raised Catholic, I remember hearing almost derogatory statements made about people who “pick and chose” their own religious identity (“cafeteria Catholics”). The “spiritual blending” highlighted in the film was incredibly intriguing. You should all see it if you get the chance!
A reassuring note left by my English professor.
Thank you all for sharing this obsession with me!
We lay on our backs, looking at the ceiling and wondering what God had wrought when He made life so sad. — Jack Kerouac (via iamapatientboy)
somucholderthen asked: Hi. Noticed the request from the anon about posting more women. Some good resources to learn more about female beat writers and key women players in the beat generation are "Breaking the Rule of Cool" and "Girls who Wore Black." Books by Ronna Johnson and Nancy Grace. They explore work by Joyce Johnson, Diane Diprima, and Hettie Jones (the more well known). And include others- Bonnie Frazer, ruth weiss, Joanne Kyger, Ann Charters, Anne Waldman, and Janine Pommy Vega. All writers on the scene.
Wonderful, thank you!
Anonymous asked: Can you post more women please?
I’ll definitely try. As a chick myself, I make an effort to attempt to include the female writers as much as I can. The truth is, there just weren’t a lot of female beat figures. However, the few that exist are really badass, and I’ll try to post more of them. I stumbled across some really interesting Joanne Kyger material. It’s in the queue and should be posted within the next few weeks.
