There's an interesting thing going on this poem, where the man in prison, presumably for not being obedient to the structure of society like a good little placer of commas, wants more commas and structures in his poetry. The re-education appears to be going smoothly for this poor bastard. As for the rest of us, the poem as a form is one of the only places left for spiritual disobedience, a fuck-you to rules of grammar - both on the page and off it.
Which I think is what Buk says here:
"but I’m not defending my work (to you or to him)
I’m defending my right to do it in the way
that makes me feel best."
They don't want you to use commas, or even to use them according to their rules. They want you to BE a fucking comma.
Bukowski came into my life in my early twenties. It was the end of the eighties and love at first feel. And yes. Now when it's mentioned. Commas are obscure. I mostly do my writing without them.
Been reading Henry since the last year's winters and i still i can't get over a day without reading a poem or two by Him. I hate to Advocate any of his works to anyone because Your life is hell if you can relate with him. For me, He's the reason I've been able to get through the those cold days.
There's an interesting thing going on this poem, where the man in prison, presumably for not being obedient to the structure of society like a good little placer of commas, wants more commas and structures in his poetry. The re-education appears to be going smoothly for this poor bastard. As for the rest of us, the poem as a form is one of the only places left for spiritual disobedience, a fuck-you to rules of grammar - both on the page and off it.
Which I think is what Buk says here:
"but I’m not defending my work (to you or to him)
I’m defending my right to do it in the way
that makes me feel best."
They don't want you to use commas, or even to use them according to their rules. They want you to BE a fucking comma.
To hell with that.
Also: Merry Christmas, everyone.
Well said man!
That’s an excellent perception. I love it.
First poem I read this morning. I’m drinking coffee in the middle of a family of folks who have been to jail, plus a few kids, plus one cop. Wassail!
Ahh, Bukowski. So underrated.
Love this
I write also.
Without a formal education.
So a lot of things out of place. Lol
Bukowski came into my life in my early twenties. It was the end of the eighties and love at first feel. And yes. Now when it's mentioned. Commas are obscure. I mostly do my writing without them.
Been reading Henry since the last year's winters and i still i can't get over a day without reading a poem or two by Him. I hate to Advocate any of his works to anyone because Your life is hell if you can relate with him. For me, He's the reason I've been able to get through the those cold days.
Dave, I'm a stickler for proper use of apostrophe's.