Well yes, I have to agree they were a stepping stone towards newer and, arguably, better things. Still, they did this unwittingly and it only happened because, at least as far as I know, there was no other movement at the time for the younger crowd to follow and admire. I guess it was just that they were new and edgy at the right time.
And the poem was A Supermarket In California. It's in Howl.
I don't think I should comment on poetry as my knowledge of it is sketchy at best. Anyway, generally poetry isn't my cup of tea, especially the more modern stuff.