I Am Waiting By Lawrence Ferlinghetti - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

I am waiting for my case to come up
and I am waiting
for a rebirth of wonder
and I am waiting for someone
to really discover America
and wail
and I am waiting
for the discovery
of a new symbolic western frontier
and I am waiting
for the American Eagle
to really spread its wings
and straighten up and fly right
and I am waiting
for the Age of Anxiety
to drop dead
and I am waiting
for the war to be fought
which will make the world safe
for anarchy
and I am waiting
for the final withering away
of all governments
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the Second Coming
and I am waiting
for a religious revival
to sweep thru the state of Arizona
and I am waiting
for the Grapes of Wrath to be stored
and I am waiting
for them to prove
that God is really American
and I am waiting
to see God on television
piped onto church altars
if only they can find
the right channel
to tune in on
and I am waiting
for the Last Supper to be served again
with a strange new appetizer
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for my number to be called
and I am waiting
for the Salvation Army to take over
and I am waiting
for the meek to be blessed
and inherit the earth
without taxes
and I am waiting
for forests and animals
to reclaim the earth as theirs
and I am waiting
for a way to be devised
to destroy all nationalisms
without killing anybody
and I am waiting
for linnets and planets to fall like rain
and I am waiting for lovers and weepers
to lie down together again
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the Great Divide to be crossed
and I am anxiously waiting
for the secret of eternal life to be discovered
by an obscure general practitioner
and I am waiting
for the storms of life
to be over
and I am waiting
to set sail for happiness
and I am waiting
for a reconstructed Mayflower
to reach America
with its picture story and tv rights
sold in advance to the natives
and I am waiting
for the lost music to sound again
in the Lost Continent
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the day
that maketh all things clear
and I am awaiting retribution
for what America did
to Tom Sawyer
and I am waiting
for Alice in Wonderland
to retransmit to me
her total dream of innocence
and I am waiting
for Childe Roland to come
to the final darkest tower
and I am waiting
for Aphrodite
to grow live arms
at a final disarmament conference
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting
to get some intimations
of immortality
by recollecting my early childhood
and I am waiting
for the green mornings to come again
youth’s dumb green fields come back again
and I am waiting
for some strains of unpremeditated art
to shake my typewriter
and I am waiting to write
the great indelible poem
and I am waiting
for the last long careless rapture
and I am perpetually waiting
for the fleeing lovers on the Grecian Urn
to catch each other up at last
and embrace
and I am awaiting
perpetually and forever
a renaissance of wonder

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem is a profound meditation on waiting—a state of hopeful anticipation for transformation, renewal, and discovery on both personal and societal levels. The repeated phrase "I am waiting" emphasizes a persistent, patient yearning for change and rebirth. The poem touches on themes of wonder, discovery, spiritual revival, political upheaval, and cultural renewal.

At its core, the poem expresses a longing for a "rebirth of wonder", a fresh sense of awe and amazement in the world, which the speaker feels is missing or lost. This rebirth is hoped to come through various channels: discovery of new frontiers, spiritual awakenings, social revolutions, and artistic inspiration. The poem also reflects a critical view of contemporary anxieties, wars, governments, and nationalism, suggesting a desire for these to fade away or transform into something better.

The poem’s imagery is rich and symbolic: the American Eagle represents national pride and strength, the Second Coming and Last Supper invoke Christian eschatology and spiritual renewal, while references to Tom Sawyer and Alice in Wonderland evoke American literary innocence and imagination. The poem blends the personal with the political, the spiritual with the cultural, and the historical with the mythical.

Background and Author Introduction

The poem was written by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a key figure in the Beat Generation, a literary movement of the 1950s and 1960s known for its rejection of conventional society and its embrace of spiritual exploration, political activism, and artistic experimentation. Ferlinghetti, a poet, painter, and publisher, was deeply involved in promoting new voices and ideas through his City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.

This poem reflects the post-World War II American context, marked by Cold War anxieties, civil rights struggles, and cultural shifts. Ferlinghetti’s work often critiques mainstream American values while expressing hope for renewal and change. His style combines free verse with vivid imagery and a conversational tone that invites readers into a shared experience of waiting and hoping.

Reflection and Personal Response

Reading this poem inspires a sense of patience and hope. It reminds us that change often requires waiting—sometimes for long periods—and that this waiting is not passive but filled with expectation and faith in the future. The poem’s call for a "rebirth of wonder" encourages us to remain curious and open to new experiences, even when the world seems troubled or stagnant.

The poem also challenges us to think critically about our society: the role of government, nationalism, war, and spirituality. It invites us to imagine a world where these forces are transformed or disappear, making way for peace, creativity, and unity.

Educational Value and Learning Points

Students can learn several important lessons from this poem:

• Patience and Hope: The poem teaches the value of waiting with hope and perseverance, a useful mindset in both academic and personal challenges.
• Symbolism and Imagery: It is an excellent example of how poets use symbols (e.g., American Eagle, Second Coming) to convey complex ideas.
• Cultural and Historical Context: Understanding the poem helps students connect literature to historical events and social movements.
• Critical Thinking: The poem encourages questioning of societal norms and imagining alternative futures.
• Creative Expression: It inspires students to explore their own feelings of anticipation and wonder through writing or art.

In everyday life, the poem’s themes can help students manage uncertainty and change, encouraging them to see waiting as a dynamic and meaningful process rather than a passive one.

Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What is the main theme of the poem?
2. How does the poet use repetition to emphasize his message?
3. Identify two symbols used in the poem and explain their significance.
4. What does the "rebirth of wonder" mean in the context of the poem?
5. How does the poem reflect the historical and cultural context of America?
6. What emotions does the poem evoke in you? Explain why.
7. How can the idea of waiting in this poem be applied to real-life situations?
8. What role does spirituality play in the poem? Give examples.
9. Why do you think the poet mentions figures like Tom Sawyer and Alice in Wonderland?
10. How does this poem inspire you to think about the future?

Answers to Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. The main theme is hopeful waiting for renewal and transformation in society and life.
2. The repetition of "I am waiting" creates a rhythm that highlights the speaker’s ongoing patience and desire for change.
3. The American Eagle symbolizes national pride and strength; the Second Coming symbolizes spiritual renewal and hope for a better future.
4. The "rebirth of wonder" means a fresh sense of awe, curiosity, and amazement in the world, a renewal of inspiration and hope.
5. The poem reflects post-WWII America’s anxieties, cultural shifts, and desire for social and spiritual revival.
6. Answers will vary; common emotions include hope, longing, impatience, and inspiration.
7. Waiting can be seen as a time of preparation and hope, useful in situations like studying for exams or facing life changes.
8. Spirituality appears as a hope for revival and renewal, seen in references to the Second Coming and Last Supper.
9. Tom Sawyer and Alice in Wonderland represent innocence, imagination, and American cultural heritage.
10. The poem encourages optimism and patience, inspiring us to believe in positive change despite challenges.

This poem offers rich material for students to explore literary devices, cultural history, and personal reflection, making it a valuable resource for education and personal growth.