Is allen ginsberg the best american poet of all time?

Question

I think for me it's him or walt whitman.

What'syour favorite poem by an american poet as well?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I don't think even Ginsberg would have claimed to be the best American poet ever. I know he was a great admirer of Walt Whitman. I believe WW was the greatest American poet. I love his writing. Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost and e e cummings are runners up. I don't know in what order. This is, of course, only my own opinion. Who really knows. Possibly the greatest American poet never published his or her poetry, but kept it hidden away for his/her own enjoyment. But I do love Whitman's poetry. Thanks.

PS, I like Dr. Seuss also. He fulfilled Emerson's definition of a Poet. "A liberating God."

Answer 2

I have to go with Dr. Seuss, myself. That's just personal preference, though.

Answer 3

Unique, but not close to being the best, hated having him rammed down my throat in Lit. classes in the 70's. Whitman is leagues above him. Personally, I like Robert Frost.

Answer 4

Hank Chinaski

Answer 5

Howl is exactly what the title suggests. It's a raw, aggressive, painful, sad shout directed at the culture that Ginsberg believed had destroyed many of his best friends. Chances are you have never read anything like it. The poem was never meant to be the kind of work that would be picked apart by scholars in universities. It was meant to be a shot of adrenaline straight into the listener's bloodstream.

From Shmoop

Source(s):

http://www.shmoop.com/intro/poetry/allen…