Chapter 2, Oral Messages Summary

In "I Am Waiting," the poet waits for a "rebirth of wonder." He waits for the rebirth of patriotism in the form of someone rediscovering America. He waits for the Second Coming, a rebirth of religion. He awaits the discovery of the secret of eternal life, death. He awaits desegregation and sexual discovery. He awaits intimations of immortality through great writing. He awaits a "renaissance of wonder." "Junkman's Obligato" tells the reader to be irresponsible, miss payments, and let everything be repossessed. Let's disappear behind city dumps without bidding anyone farewell, small bad, know whores, sleep in phone booths and puke in pawnshops. Go under the city and reappear in putrid clothing, because the end, chaos, is coming! Junk for sale; there is still time to go. Avoid fame and wealth, sell everything, and descend in society. The poet...