This is a fascinating thread - don't know how I missed it before tonight. I, too, have wondered about "Stephanie Says" - who is Stephanie, why does she hate people (and who?) she's spent 1/2 her life with, and why is she caught "between two worlds"? Black Angel's Death Song, I believe, has much to do with the word alliteration of performance poetry, although I am curious about it's meaning, as well.
One of the first things that fascinated me about Lou reed is his use of names for the people in his lyrics - really amusing - and revealing of a creative and active mind.
Chance, have you read the three full volumes of VanGogh's writings? INCREDIBLE. "Dear Theo" is a VERY abridged version, but to read the full works - WOW.
As for absinthe - I, too, have been forever curious about it. Since I do not like the taste of black licorice (anise), or even of alcohol, I probably wouldn't much favor the flavor of the stuff. But, I sure would love to see the colour of it. Saw a VanGogh exhibit in L.A. a few years ago - one of the many paintings on exhibit was his "Glass of Absinthe" - no words can express the magnificence.....
Wormwood, or Artemesia Absinthium, is an herb. It can be bought at a good healthfood/herbal store. The oil extract of wormwood, which contains the hallucinagen thujone, is what was in absinthe, I believe. For those who wish to know more about wormwood:
http://www.ghorganics.com/Wormwood.html