An Ode to Peyote
In today’s society, we often view drugs as something that harms one’s cognitive abilities. But at the time that the Beat Poets were writing, these substances were empowering. They were a nonviolent way to break away from the mainstream heavily-Christian culture.
Lophophora Williamsii — commonly known as “peyote” — is a type of succulent that contains psychoactive alkaloids. When it enters the system, it causes hallucinations and unique experiences such as ‘seeing sounds’. It was used in Native American tribes in order to create ‘visionary’ and ‘healing’ experiences. Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Michael McClure and countless others were using it to help them find ‘secrets of the universe’ and ‘a deeper understanding on how things work.’
Michael McClure writes PEYOTE POEM to relay the chaotic peace he finds with the substance.
The poem is written in the view of someone (McClure) as they experience the varying effects of peyote. For example, there is a stomach ache that comes with use, but it also helps the speaker appreciate the fact that their stomach is a part of them and they are one with it. The speaker also experiences connection with the outside world, stating
“there is the wonder
as far as the eye can see the close buildings I see them so close” (McClure 268).
The phrase ‘as far as the eye can see’ is a classic example of synecdoche. The eye is representative of any nonspecific individual. The speaker is saying how there are buildings surrounding them that anyone can see, but only through this peyote experiment can one appreciate the closeness in emotion and spirit.
As mentioned above, one of the effects of psychedelic drugs is the ability to ‘hear colors’ or ‘see sounds.’ McClure demonstrates this towards the end of the poem, by saying
“there are the sounds of late afternoon and early evening
with forever between them I see it passing between them” (McClure 271).
Due to the fact that the narrator is under the influence, not all of the poem is very coherent. There is lot’s of repetition of words in sentences, and also things left undefined (such as what particular sounds they are hearing). However, we can infer they mean the sounds of cars driving by, or the people protesting on the street. This sound carries on throughout the day. While one cannot physically see sound waves, peyote allows the speaker to experience the sound passing through the day. This helps one feel more in tune with everyday experiences, and the society they are apart of (even if they do not conform with the social norms).
Because of the War on Drugs, this poem did not reach the audience it had the potential of. Yet I think reading this poem allows one to experience peyote without actually having to take it, which is impactful health wise, but also can be spiritually beneficial to some.
McClure, Michael. “PEYOTE POEM” The Portable Beat Reader, edited by Ann Charters, Penguin Books, 1992, pp. 265–273.
