En Vain. (Translation) . Poem by Michael Walker

See Poem Hunter for the original English poem. I will not attempt a full 'explication de texte' but just note a few points. The phrase 'In vain' of course dominates and unifies the rhetorical-style poem, giving it extra power. To me, Kerouac writes as a sceptic, questioning the ideas and values which most people assume to be true. It is quite possible to doubt society's 'certainties' as Kerouac does. Thus, what is the use of the stars in the sky? Are the stars necessary? No. Has the the tragedy 'Hamlet' had a general impact on most people? No, except for academics. Did Hamlet deserved to die by poisoning, when he would have made a good king of Denmark? No, his life was in vain. Have Abraham Lincoln's progressive vision of racial equality and the freedom and dignity of each individual come to pass? Only in part. Was there any sense in Lincoln's assassination? Was there any purpose to it? No, it made Lincoln's life seem in vain. The great, extensive Aztec empire has now crumbled away in ruins. Even though we lock our houses at night, the burglar can still enter and cause havoc. Probably, Kerouac knew failure early on as a writer, hence 'The writing hand in vain'. Or else so many other books are written in vain, as their style dates and they get unreadable. The small family bible was no use once Kerouac gave up his Catholic faith.

He chose to become a Buddhist but that was another disillusionment: so much chanting of useless mantras over and over. So 'The Life of Buddha/ In vain) '.
This is how I read some of the lines of 'In Vain' and no doubt you could read between the lines too. A cool assessment of the world by Kerouac, not depressing but real. Unquestionably a top-class poem.