Climbing Milestone Mountain. Kenneth Rexroth: Original audio.
Kenneth Rexroth writes about climbing his own mountain. It's a reflection on the evil of government and men and the backdrop is the Sacco and Vanzetti executions. I'll write more about this and my mentor Rexroth soon. Every generation has a public execution of its innocence, an event that shows the emperor for the evil bile it is. Read the full poem here - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/428...
I put this together, subtitled with some sourced footage of hiking in the Sierra Madres.
Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was an influential American poet, translator, and essayist, often associated with the San Francisco Renaissance and considered a precursor to the Beat Generation. Born in South Bend, Indiana, Rexroth moved to Chicago in his teens, where he immersed himself in avant-garde art and radical politics. He never attended college but was self-educated, becoming well-versed in various disciplines including literature, philosophy, and Asian classics.
Rexroth's poetry is known for its lyrical beauty and deep engagement with nature, human intimacy, and social justice. His notable works include "In What Hour" (1940) and "The Phoenix and the Tortoise" (1944). He was also a prolific translator, particularly of Chinese and Japanese poetry, helping to introduce Eastern poetic traditions to Western audiences.
In addition to his literary achievements, Rexroth was a passionate activist, advocating for pacifism and social reform. He played a central role in the San Francisco literary scene, mentoring younger poets such as Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. His influence extended beyond poetry, impacting American counterculture and intellectual thought in the mid-20th century.
Kenneth Rexroth's legacy endures through his poetry, translations, and essays, which continue to inspire and challenge readers worldwide.