Page 20 - e-magazine391R

Difficult Beginnings

By: Victoria Knipfel

Joanne Kygre, Anne Waldman, Lenore Kendal, and
Diane di Prima; what is the connection between these
women? For starters they were all prominent Beat
poets. During the 1950’s and 1960’s women Beat writers
fought to have their voices heard, for their ideas and
philosophical notions to be shared. These women were
pioneers, leaders, and philanthropists. Beyond their
stats as Beat women their immersion into the study of
Buddhism and Zen is the other key element tying
these women together. Their focus on ‘the Self’,
exploration of emptiness, and the connection to the
world are key components of their poetry, and the
foundation of their work.

Source: The Poetry Foundation