some people just got it and it comes hot out of the tap-- Thank god he's not all over Substack notes and we can hold him in somewhat mysterious splendor
That’s true, but it takes learning to react wisely. Let’s not forget that everyone has their weaknesses, especially artists (but also others, thinkers etc.), are driven towards things beyond the small everyday hassles, accumulation makes it boring.
Then there is what concerns us directly, easier to pass on, and what concerns the others (our work, commitments in projects trying to facilitate life of the living etc.) and for which depend at times on others.
Brilliant funny poignant Bukowski. I love the details that place this poem in 'the past' - the toilet chain, 50 cent avocados, $979 for a bridge, $300 for a gold. Thanks, as always, "Poetic Outlaws"
It’s not the big things in life that send us over the edge but the small ones, right in front of us, innocuous at first glance but all the more deadly in their accumulation.
We end up being afraid to move forward in life for fear of being assailed by them and can’t afford to bend down to attend to one without beginning their inevitable chain reaction in our moment of vulnerability.
I remember reading this in high school and not feeling it. Today, it hits like a sucker punch to the belly.
He speaks ro the common man, the slave to the capitalists, who make everything so meagre, everyone so meek and everything so meaningless.
Leave it to Bukowski to hit the nail on the head of the things that cause human suffering and stress. The broken shoelace with no time left.
You have impeccable taste for great poets!!!
It’s the accumulation of pain, the passage of time and what it means to be human. Thank you Charles.
Brilliant, great choice 👏
some people just got it and it comes hot out of the tap-- Thank god he's not all over Substack notes and we can hold him in somewhat mysterious splendor
just exquisite
...a beautiful sketch of the human condition. Like the needles of a pine tree, ready to hang life's ornaments on...
How many breaths will we take before it all smooths out sparkles?
Its not what happens to us, or what someone does to us, but how we react to them that causes our madness.
That’s true, but it takes learning to react wisely. Let’s not forget that everyone has their weaknesses, especially artists (but also others, thinkers etc.), are driven towards things beyond the small everyday hassles, accumulation makes it boring.
Then there is what concerns us directly, easier to pass on, and what concerns the others (our work, commitments in projects trying to facilitate life of the living etc.) and for which depend at times on others.
But you’re right.
Yesterday was a lot like this.
That's so true! What insight! It's a hundred small things which break your will and sever your last tie to sanity. Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant funny poignant Bukowski. I love the details that place this poem in 'the past' - the toilet chain, 50 cent avocados, $979 for a bridge, $300 for a gold. Thanks, as always, "Poetic Outlaws"
It’s not the big things in life that send us over the edge but the small ones, right in front of us, innocuous at first glance but all the more deadly in their accumulation.
We end up being afraid to move forward in life for fear of being assailed by them and can’t afford to bend down to attend to one without beginning their inevitable chain reaction in our moment of vulnerability.
Bukowski lists them all---the mundane things that drive us nuts.
The more I read this, it made me laugh out loud. Maniacally! OMG! I must be going mad. And you nailed it!
All the little irritants in life…
Bukowski is the only poet I listen to. 🐈⬛
one of the best