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Photo: Beatniks at John Kennedy School

By Howard B. Owens

The cafeteria at John Kennedy School was transported back in time today to the 1950s, when Beatniks ruled the poetry world.

The second grade class dressed in tie-die and berets for poetry readings and multi-media presentations for an audience of parents and teachers.

Not all of the poets represented in the readings were Beats, but the list included Shel Silverstein, Langston Hughes, John Gardner, Vachel Lindsay and Jeff Foxworthy.

Guest readers included Superintendent Margaret Puzio and school Principle Mr. Kesler.

The annual event was organized by second-grade teachers Ms. Mancuso, Mrs. Hallman and Mrs. Calandra. 

Pictured above are five of the students who participated, Juan Martinez, James Cooley, Ben Skalny, Haylee Thornley and Clair Griffith.

Justin Burger

Beatniks eh? Nice to see kids taking interest in reading/writing...but I don't ever remember Maynard G. Krebs wearing tie-dye. Maybe those kids will start a new fashion craze "Hipniks", haha!

Jun 10, 2011, 10:49pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

The pride of Westfield, NY and their ode to the Beat Poets

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Jun 11, 2011, 5:45pm Permalink
Billie Owens

Natalie looks like she belongs in an asylum for 10,000 maniacs with that frumpy frock, but her voice is unique and lovely. One cannot discuss the Beats without, at some point, referencing Allen Ginsburg, and his blockbuster work "Howl." Dig this, man. Que the bongos.

It begins like this and goes on and on and on.

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,

dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,

Angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night,

who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high sat up smoking in the supernatural darkness of cold-water flats floating across the tops of cities contemplating jazz,..."

Jun 11, 2011, 7:21pm Permalink

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