* Length: It's a substantial piece of work, clocking in at over 140 lines. This exceeds the length of traditional lyric poems, making it more similar to epic poems or extended poetic works.
* Structure: While it has some internal structure, with sections like "Moloch" and "I'm With You," it's not confined to a specific form like a sonnet or a haiku. It flows freely, allowing Ginsberg to explore a wide range of themes and ideas.
* Content: The poem's subject matter, encompassing personal experience, social critique, and spiritual exploration, is broad and complex, fitting the scope of a longer poem.
* Style: The poem's style is highly individual, using free verse, unconventional syntax, and often visceral imagery, further distinguishing it from more traditional poetic forms.
So, while "Howl" doesn't fit neatly into any single category, it's most accurately described as a long poem or poetic sequence due to its length, structure, content, and unique style.