16 pages • 32 minutes read
Lawrence FerlinghettiSometime During Eternity . . .
Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1958A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Further Reading & Resources
Related Poems
“In Goya’s Greatest Scenes We Seem to See” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1958)
This is another famous poem from Ferlinghetti’s 1958 collection, A Coney Island of the Mind, in which “Sometime During Eternity” also appears. Ferlinghetti was known as a sometime painter as well as poet, and in this poem, he reflects upon the significance of Goya’s works.
“Constantly Risking Absurdity (#15)” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1958)
Another poem from A Coney Island of the Mind, “Constantly Risking Absurdity (#15)” features Ferlinghetti’s reflections on the art of being a poet. The poem forms a nice complement to the playful treatment of storytelling in “Sometime During Eternity.”
“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg (1956)
Published in 1956 by the publishing arm of Ferlinghetti’s City Lights bookstore, Howl is considered Ginsberg’s masterwork, and temporarily landed Ferlinghetti in trouble with the law for publishing supposedly obscene literature. In this lengthy poem, Ginsberg reflects upon the turbulent experiences of his generation—in particular, the Beat poets.
Further Literary Resources
"Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021)" by Poetry Foundation (2021)
This is an accessible biographical overview of Ferlinghetti’s life and work, offered by the editors at the Poetry Foundation. This page also contains direct links to the full texts of some of Ferlinghetti’s most famous poems.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti: Interview by Christopher Bollen (2012)
Journalist Christopher Bollen offers this wide-ranging 2012 interview of Ferlinghetti, in which Ferlinghetti discusses some of the formative moments of his life and his work as both a poet and literary publisher.
“And the Beats Go On” by Dan Levy (2000)
Dan Levy’s article celebrates the legacy of City Lights Bookstore and publishing house, which was cofounded by Ferlinghetti in 1953 and which is still a cultural icon of San Francisco’s literary scene. The publishing arm was responsible for printing some of the major works of the Beat era, including—most famously—Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. The article features Ferlinghetti as one of the commentators.
Listen to Poem
A suitably sarcastic and lively reading of “Sometime During Eternity,” accompanied by music and a visual montage illustrating the poem’s action. While the music occasionally risks overwhelming the narration, the narrator’s delivery is nevertheless clearly enunciated and appropriately paced.
