Allen Ginsberg's career as writer and performer of poetry now spans nearly half a century. In an interview aired on British television on 9 January 1995 the critic Jeremy Isaacs called him "America's best known poet," a title Ginsberg conceded with characteristic modesty and generosity to Bob Dylan. Asked "How would you like us to remember you"" he replied without hesitation, "I think 'Father Death Blues,'" which he then proceeded to sing. Ginsberg's response would probably surprise the many readers who think of him primarily as the renowned author of "Howl" and "Kaddish," two poems he wrote in the 1950s. Although his rendition of "Father Death Blues," a poem written in memory of Ginsberg's father, has a poignancy and condensed wisdom, as a song it falls well short of Dylan's best pieces. As a poem, one of seven in a poetic sequence titled "Don't Grow Old" that was collected...