Very weird and dark, yet enjoyable. Was he a hooligan or was he a genius? It's a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. How about a drunkard mastermind? That's an interesting concept. But still, I'm not sure what to rate this one. Maybe it's a 7 out of 10 for its unique blend of strangeness and entertainment. Or perhaps it's an 8 because it makes you think and question. Then again, it could be a 6 due to its lack of clarity in some areas. The truth is, it's a hard one to rate. But one thing's for sure, it's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Very abstract poetry can be a truly fascinating and yet somewhat puzzling form of literature. Some of the poems within this genre have an uncanny ability to strike a chord deep within me, as if they are speaking directly to my emotions and experiences. The words seem to dance and weave in a way that is both beautiful and profound, leaving a lasting impression. However, on the other hand, a significant number of these abstract poems leave me completely bewildered. I find myself scratching my head and wondering what on earth the poet was trying to convey. The meanings seem to be hidden beneath layers of complex imagery and ambiguous language, making it a challenge to decipher. It's almost as if the poet is deliberately playing a game of hide and seek with the reader, and I'm left feeling a bit frustrated in my attempts to understand.

Everyone goes through their Jim Morrison phase, right?

Jim Morrison was an iconic figure in the world of rock and roll. His charisma, unique voice, and rebellious spirit made him a legend.

During this phase, people are often drawn to Morrison's music and the image he projected. His lyrics were filled with passion, mystery, and a sense of freedom.

Listening to his songs can transport you to a different time and place, where rules don't exist and anything is possible.

For many, the Jim Morrison phase is a time of self-discovery and exploration. It's a chance to embrace your own inner rebel and break free from the constraints of society.

Whether it's through his music, his poetry, or his stage presence, Jim Morrison continues to inspire generations of fans.

So, if you find yourself going through a Jim Morrison phase, embrace it and let his music guide you on your journey of self-discovery.

Sep 11, 2o2o

What's more terrifying than the actual contents of these poems is the realization that your favorite rock star/poet was, in fact, somewhat of a psychopath. Reading Morrison's poetry is an intensely personal and bizarre experience. I find myself unable to determine whether Morrison is a genius or forever trapped in his teenage angst. Either way, the writings in this collection offer us a glimpse into Morrison's disturbing and sensual (and sometimes profoundly beautiful) fantasies.

Alongside the poetry, Morrison's screenplay The Hitchhiker encapsulates all the essential elements of Morrison's literary universe: psychopaths, women, deserts, and hitchhikers; all objects of his obsession. Nevertheless, the most profound poem I came across in this collection was The End, which has resonated with me ever since I first listened to it on YouTube and then in Apocalypse Now. There is something deeply archetypal about this poem. From ancient slithering snakes to mandalas to leopards prowling the desert, all these qualities are present in poems such as The End and The American Night. With this in mind, Jungians should have a field day reading Morrison's poetry.

Speaking of Jung, I believe Jim Morrison might be the closest modern approximation of the ubermensch. In fact, Morrison was a great admirer of Nietzsche during his upbringing. For his high school graduation, Morrison requested Nietzsche's complete works as a gift, and in film school, he worked on a short film related to the famous incident of Nietzsche and the whipping of the horse. It can thus be concluded that Morrison was significantly influenced by Nietzsche. This Dionysian aspect of the ubermensch burns brightly throughout Morrison's writing and can even be regarded as a modern 60's interpretation of Nietzsche's cherished "will to power" or Jung's concept of embracing the "shadow." All the writings deal with Morrison confronting his shadow (and ultimately, his fantasies involve becoming evil, being consumed by the "shadow") and grappling with sensuality (in which he also becomes dissolved). Morrison is the ubermensch, an individual who chose to indulge his animalistic desires without regard for conventional morality. I suppose Morrison's ultimate fate can teach us all a little something about the tragic nature of the "overman."

Morrison had a truly grand Dionysian vision of life as an empire.

This vision was not simply a passing thought or a fleeting inspiration. It was a deeply held and complex concept that he strived to bring to life through his work.

Even though he did not write it out in a concise and detailed manner, he still managed to make a pretty good job at shaping and portraying it.

He used his words and his imagination to create a vivid and engaging picture of this empire, filled with all the chaos, passion, and beauty that one would expect from a Dionysian vision.

Morrison's ability to bring this vision to life is a testament to his talent as a writer and his unique perspective on the world.

His work continues to inspire and captivate readers, inviting them to explore this fascinating and mysterious empire along with him.

For that people who died for Nirvana, for the celestial belief, for you, for me.

These lines are written to convey the message; to ignore the warning; to go on a spree up there, among the voices of torture; to visit the subterranean seas. Believe.

Things more horrible than war, things outside of the tales, great beasts that are going extinct.

We often wonder what lies beyond our understanding, what secrets are hidden in the depths.

Maybe there are forces at work that we can't even begin to fathom.

The idea of people sacrificing themselves for a cause, for something greater than themselves, is both terrifying and inspiring.

It makes us question our own beliefs and what we would be willing to do for them.

As we read these words, we are drawn into a world of mystery and danger, a world where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred.

But perhaps that is the beauty of it all, the ability to explore the unknown and let our imaginations run wild.

Who knows what awaits us if we dare to believe and take that leap into the unknown?

Gregory Corso was correct when he said the need for a chorus/repetition is why rock stars should not write poetry.

Jim Morrison, for instance, is not good at poetry. His works read like a guy strung out on drugs trying to be profound.

Morrison's attempts at poetry often lack the depth and sophistication that true poetry demands. The use of repetition in his writing, which might work well in a rock song, fails to translate effectively into the realm of poetry.

While rock stars may have a certain charisma and stage presence, this does not necessarily mean they have the talent or skill to write good poetry. The two art forms require different sets of abilities and sensibilities.

In conclusion, while Morrison may have been a great rock star, his forays into poetry are less than impressive. And as Corso pointed out, the need for a chorus/repetition in rock music may be a hindrance to creating truly great poetry.

I truly appreciate the way they categorized the different types of poems in the book that he penned.

Every single poem held a special significance, which made them all enchanting works of poetry.

I took great pleasure in perusing through the book and using sticky notes to mark the ones that really appealed to me, as well as those that I found a bit difficult to understand.

It was like embarking on a literary adventure, exploring the diverse world of poetry within the pages of that book.

The various styles and themes presented in the different types of poems added depth and richness to the overall reading experience.

I found myself getting lost in the beauty and artistry of each poem, and it was a wonderful feeling.

I can't wait to go back and revisit those marked poems, and perhaps gain a better understanding of the ones that initially eluded me.

This book has truly become a treasure trove of poetry for me, and I will cherish it for a long time to come.

Fluidity is of utmost importance, and Morrison always had a set of them, just like a rogue custodian. He would often peek into rooms that were clearly labeled "Do Not Disturb".

This is the definitive collection of 'The Lizard King's' poetry, even though it is the second volume in the series. This collection showcases Morrison's true potential as a poet, more so than his lyrics or even his previous works such as 'The Lords & New Creatures/Wilderness'. It also reveals the diversity of his work. Through 'The American Night', you can find connections to a whole world of lesser-known Morrison artifacts, like the original screenplay on which his film 'HWY: An American Pastoral' was based. Many of the poems included are also featured on the spoken word album 'An American Prayer' (with music by the Doors).

This collection does it all. It bites like sandpaper, speeds like a rocket, and makes you wish you were a stronger swimmer in the ocean of Morrison's mind. Throughout the collection, you will find scanned copies of Morrison's original handwritten versions of the poems in his unmistakable cursive, providing more insight into how he organized his thoughts. My only issue with this collection (and all other collections of his work) is that they didn't publish it under the name "James Douglas Morrison", which my research has led me to believe he preferred.

I highly recommend this to any fan of poetry (unless you're Gregory Corso, who seemed to be upset with Jimbo calling himself a poet), and I feel obligated to recommend it to any Doors fan.

I truly love Jim.

His writings in this particular volume appeared to be distinct. There was a certain kind of darkness that pervaded them.

It was as if he had delved into the deeper recesses of his mind and heart, uncovering emotions and thoughts that were not easily accessible.

The stories he told had an air of mystery and melancholy, drawing the reader in and making them feel a part of his world.

Even though the darkness was present, there was also a glimmer of hope and beauty that shone through.

It was this combination of light and dark that made his writings so captivating and unique.

I found myself unable to put the book down, eager to see what would happen next and how the characters would overcome the challenges they faced.

Jim's ability to create such a vivid and engaging world through his words is truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.

Could any hell be more

Horrible than now

And real?

This question lingers in the air, as if taunting our very perception of reality. The idea of a hell that surpasses the current state of affairs seems almost unfathomable. But is it?

We often think of hell as a place of eternal torment, a realm beyond our wildest nightmares. But what if the hell we are currently experiencing is just a prelude to something even worse?

Perhaps the horrors that we witness in the world today, the pain and suffering, the violence and destruction, are merely a taste of what is to come.

Could there be a deeper, more insidious level of hell that awaits us? A place where the boundaries of our worst fears are pushed even further, and the very fabric of our existence is torn apart?

These thoughts may send shivers down our spines, but they also force us to confront the reality of our situation. We must ask ourselves: what are we doing to prevent this from happening?

Are we taking the necessary steps to make the world a better place, or are we simply turning a blind eye to the growing darkness?

The choice is ours, and only time will tell if we are able to avoid the true horror that may lie ahead.

Welcome to the American Night...

I didn't understand what it meant and yet it meant so much to me, this immature 18-year-old still finding out about the world by inserting himself into the universe of others. Along came Jim Morrison, singer/poet, a forever-young manchild. He was so appealing to a youth entering adulthood unwillingly. Morrison's words, scribbled out in notebooks upon rooftops in Venice, California, would become the basis of lyrics to the inflammatory songs created by late '60s rockers The Doors.

And many of those scribbles are found within The American Night: The Lost Writings, Vol. 2: The End, The Soft Parade, Moonlight Drive, Soul Kitchen, L.A. Woman, When the Music's Over. Perhaps it's that familiarity which made this second volume of Morrison's work more enjoyable to me. I already knew and loved the entire Doors catalogue and here, now and then, popped up the lyrics to one of their tunes. And there was more familiarity to latch on to, as seen in live performances, such as his "rock opera" the Celebration of The Lizard.

Morrison and his words could be oh so very melodramatic. He seemed to intentionally revel in the bizarre, if for no other reason than to shock. Take for instance Lament for the Death of My Cock. It goes on and on like this. Silly stuff. Never did figure out the point of breaking up the lines like that. Did he think he was writing out the lines of a song? Perhaps and why not, some of this tripe did get turned into songs. However, much of this needed editing to say the least and most should never have seen the light of day. It's the stuff of teenaged angst. What artistically-minded kid didn't fill up a notebook or two with their unintelligible, overly emotional ramblings? I filled six, myself!

If you've read down this far, you're clearly a fan (or someone with some time on your hands) so I suppose I could recommend this book to you. I might also recommend The Doors' album An American Prayer. It takes snippets of spoken word by Morrison from the compositions included in this book, so you get to hear him reading them in the way he intended. Unfortunately, the remaining Doors members decided to add their own backing tracks, jam sessions and incidental noise to the background, which was not in keeping with Morrison's original intention. Eh, it is what it is.