Many poets from the Beat Generation joined the scene after being influenced by other poets. However, ruth weiss has a different story. She had been given the title of a “beat poet” without purposely trying to fit into that category. She grew up in Germany, and escaped prior to the Holocaust.
Ruth weiss uses free association in “Day” 1 of her long poem, “Desert Journal,” to create a sense of disorientation.
The poem starts by evoking an odd image.
“the tables sat end on end
they were dropping into the cavity of mouth
slowly…” (weiss 10)
People do not typically associate tables with the desert. There is a sense of being lost and disoriented which is enforced by the next stanza which features a reference to Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” before going back to the tables. At this point, it is difficult to pinpoint the connection between these two sections.
Towards the end of the poem, the various ideas finally come together.
“and the first day
is the worst day
in the desert” (weiss 12)
The first day in a new place is always the worst. Adjusting to time changes, new cultures, and a new atmosphere is never easy. Perhaps the poem echoes weiss’ experience, moving to a foreign country in fear for your life. It could be argued, that weiss uses a stream of consciousness and association to evoke some of the fear and confusion that she felt coming to America.
weiss, ruth. “Desert Journal”. Trembling Pillow Press, 2012. pp. 9–30
