While watching for the nth time The Last Waltz (at least the song segments that I love most), I remained in awe while Lawrence Ferlinghetti came up on the stage to read his poem Loud Prayer. It reminded me of all the hours spent reading his poems and those of his peers Allen Ginsberg, which eventually would drive me to love Patti Smith and Bob Dylan so much. In Italy, we had all that beautiful poetry from the Beat Generation translated by that wonderful woman who was Fernanda Pivano, actually a friend of Ginsberg’s, who also translated Fitzgerald and Hemingway. She was the organizer of a Poetry festival on the beach at Ostia (the seaside resort close to Rome), where I enjoyed a few days of Beat poetry, live. Yes, some thirtish years ago.
Let us pray,
Our father whose art’s in heaven, hollow be thy name, unless things change. Thy wigdom come and gone, thy will, will be undone on earth, as it? isn’t heaven. Give us this day our daily bread at least three times a day, and forgive us our trespasses as we would forgive those lovelies whom we wish would trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation too often on weekdays, but deliver us from evil, whose presence remains unexplained in thy kingdom of power and glory.
Oh, man!
I have a vague recollection of a Ferlinghetti poem about an old-time candy shop. Though I don't recall the words, I recall being delighted with how he portrayed the sunlight shining through the window and splashing wonderful colors off the wall through the candy jars.
This is my first chance to see or hear him. Thanks for sharing.
But can we all agree that the Mao Coat was fashion cul-de-sac? I would have thought him to be more of a turtle neck kind of poet.