Howl, Ginsberg

As you know, today we had to read "Howl" by Allen Gisberg. I would like to start by saying I hope I wasnt the only one who was a little confused while reading this poem. I am glad that we are talking about it in class but a little worried for the quiz. If it wasn't for the subscripts at the bottom I am not sure that I would know much of anything about this poem but here it goes. I understand that through much of the poem he is talking about being in an instatute for the mentally insane. I believe it sort of explains how he got there through the pictures on the window and such. I think the thing that confused me was that Ginsberg would jump from one person to another. Although I thought this was creative that he would refer to other authors I found it a little confusing in the story line. I understand that he put hints in there such as the Rocky Mountains and so fourth but I am still very lost. I also wonder why he puts such obsene things in this poem. I am not offended by them but curious as to why they are in there. Through my previous readings, I understand that he is homosexual, but in this poem he makes anal sex seem like a punishment. I hope that through next class period I will be able to understand this poem much better because the way I see it now I am completely lost. "Howl", you have officially baffled me.