New Stanzas for Amazing Grace
New Stanzas for Amazing Grace - meaning Summary
Empathy Toward the Homeless
Ginsberg's poem depicts a dream of living among the homeless, highlighting social invisibility and public indifference. It moves from observation to moral appeal, urging small, human gestures—smiles, words, time—over purely financial charity. The poem reconceives "amazing grace" as mutual recognition and presence, calling readers across classes to acknowledge shared humanity and to offer immediate, fearless kindness to those they pass on the street.
Read Complete AnalysesI dreamed I dwelled in a homeless place Where I was lost alone Folk looked right through me into space And passed with eyes of stone O homeless hand on many a street Accept this change from me A friendly smile or word is sweet As fearless charity Woe workingman who hears the cry And cannot spare a dime Nor look into a homeless eye Afraid to give the time So rich or poor no gold to talk A smile on your face The homeless ones where you may walk Receive amazing grace I dreamed I dwelled in a homeless place Where I was lost alone Folk looked right through me into space And passed with eyes of stone
April 2, 1994
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