Are the youth of today to be considered a lost generation? Of course not. It’s the older people looking back in shock at the actions of today’s youth. They will recover and will lead the future as they were meant to lead. An example of that is the “beat generation” of fifty years ago. They seem to be doing okay today. But, apparently some of them, probably the rowdiest years ago, are complaining loudly today of the world’s unsettled youth. 

What comes to mind when one thinks of “beat poetry”? The poetry of the times mostly since it was writers who gave the wayward youth their title. 

The “beat generation” from “Dictionary of Literary Terms and Theory, by J.A. Cudden credits the poets for the description. He defines the term “beat” as used defining a certain type of poetry, as a term “generally believed” to be applied to poetry written by Jack Kerouac (1922-69). And this style of beat poetry, down-beat, off-beat, down-and-out, drop-out, and beatitude, etc., written by Kerouac and poets of the 1950s comprise “beat poetry”.

Located mainly in San Francisco, USA and “their generally accepted father-figures were Kenneth Rexroth, Henry Miller and William Buroughs.” There were followers and these are known as the “beat generation”.

According to this author this group stood out from others and were “unconventional, provocative, anti-intellectual, anti-hierarchical, anti-middle class (the “squares”). And of course they used drugs and led “permissive living in general.”

Are today’s youth lost?

Today’s youth, in whatever profession they are preparing today are no different from that of fifty years ago or even further back. They are, as youth have always done, reacting to their times. They build on what they have learned and if this knowledge is somewhat sparse where societal problems are concerned, whose fault is it? It may take them longer to get tuned in to the confusing world they inherited from their equally confused parents. 

Poetry is a natural selection for those who care deeply about what is going on in the society they must live in, but can’t cope with. It’s quite healthy to use this medium as a way to relieve stress. 

So to conclude: poetry is an individual undertaking. It can be either deep thinking and soul-searching; or it can be shallow and be about nothing that matters past a few days, months, years; or it can be about meanness and revenge and usurpation, and the truth of the time. This writer would like to hear more about what the young poets of that time, the serious ones, that is, think of their then life styles, now that they are approaching the end of their poetic journey.

To reiterate: Youth have always had their own minds and used them in ways that often were antagonistic to their parents and to their grandparents. The history books all tell of inventors, great writers, respected reformers all who had bad times and were not saintly when young. Two examples come to mind are Saint Augustine and St. Francis.

For proof of of how youth has a lot to overcome, read the lives of the older poets. In their older days they still write poetry but their subject matter, far from being about instantaneous love and emotion is far more reflective. It is about love for mankind and a patient waiting for the wonders of the other side.