POEM OF THE DAY -- "POEM" by Jack Kerouac

"POEM" is an unnamed poem, written in 1959 by Kerouac.  It appears in his anthology "Scattered Poems", published in 1970 by City Lights.

 

This poem touches on some of Kerouac's thoughts about Jazz, Poetry (Jazz and Poetry), and his thoughts about the ongoing evolution of his "New American Poetry".  In other words - CREATE.  Pay no attention to rules or snobbery.  Write, write, write.

In short, it seems Kerouac has written a poem for poets.  Enjoy!

POEM

By Jack Kerouac

Jazz killed itself

But dont let poetry kill itself

Dont be afraid

  of the cold night air

Dont listen to institutions

when you return manuscripts to

     brownstone

dont bow & scuffle

           for Edith Wharton pioneers

or ursula major nebraska prose

   just hand in your own backyard

      & laugh play pretty

           cake trombone

& if somebody  give you beads

   juju, jew, or otherwise,

sleep with em around your neck

Your dreams'll maybe better

     There's no rain

           there's no me, 

     I'm tellin ya man 

           sure as shit.

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