we wake up electrified out of the coma by our own souls’ airplanes roaring over the roof they’ve come to drop angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself
imaginary walls collapse
O skinny legions run outside
O starry-spangled shock of mercy the eternal war is here
O victory forget your underwear we’re free

—Alan Ginsberg, Howl, published this week in 1956 by City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco