America When Will You Be Angelic?

"America" is my favorite poem by Allen Ginsberg, mostly because it addresses and personifies the nation head-on in a dynamic conversation, and because I think it remains so relevant almost 60 years later. The poem is at once angry, disappointed, nostalgic, and slightly hopeful. It alternates between Ginsberg's concerns with America and himself, saying "America when will we end the human war? Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb," but in contrast the next lines say "I don't feel good don't bother me. I won't write my poem till I'm in my right mind." I am interested in when it occurs to Ginsberg that he is America and that he is talking to himself, because for a chunk of the poem thereafter he is talking/writing as America, as the nation, stating "I'd better consider my national resources." I think that part is really creative and genius, plus the whole idea of himself as America brings to mind the idea that we are all part of this nation, all contribute to it, maintain it, consent to it, consciously or unconsciously. There are multiple Cold War and Communist references throughout the poem, and it points to the many stereotypes and shames of America.
On a whole I interpret this poem as Ginsberg being disillusioned with America and it's promises of freedom, success, and abundance. I think a similar feeling is shared by many people today, where two dollars and twenty-seven cents will get you even less than it did in 1956, and there is more technology, stricter laws, more prisons, and ongoing wars. The poem really makes me think of myself in the context of being an American and living in America, rather than as just an individual in Santa Cruz, and I think its important to consider what that nationality means.