This feels like a scene right out of Fante, whose alter-ego Bandini is always trying to get out of paying rent. I like the intermission he seems to have, shaving, which he does carefully, while the rest of Buk's life seems to have been an extravagantly volatile suicide by alcohol. It's the little moments, eh...
Big fan of Purdy, thanks for the reminder and making the connection with Bukowski. Makes sense. Met him once too, at a book signing. Rooms for rent in the outer planets.
I don’t know how I came across your substack.
I’m indebted to you and filled with gratitude, thank you. I never heard of Charles Bukowski.
His writing touches me and has made me notice things I didn’t notice before.
oh my if you just found Charles you are in for a wild ride - enjoy.
My favourite Line "screaming for rent
because the world has failed us
both."
kick ass line
Very well written. I couldn't wait to read the next line and the end was strong.
I had forgotten how moving poetry can be. Life-affirming, bittersweet truth.
Ah, Bukowski nails it yet again. Thank you both!
pain is absurd / because it exists, / nothing more
Too true.
Bukowski's gritty honesty is refreshing sometimes.
This one got me good.
Hank is the best
I of course am listening to Alexa warble J Christ Superstar / Caiphas is my favorite singing part.... pairs well with Bukowski🥦🥝🧏🏻♀️
pain is absurd because it exists / nothing more
Too true.
This feels like a scene right out of Fante, whose alter-ego Bandini is always trying to get out of paying rent. I like the intermission he seems to have, shaving, which he does carefully, while the rest of Buk's life seems to have been an extravagantly volatile suicide by alcohol. It's the little moments, eh...
Hank is king!
Someone once told me, the thing i love about Bukowski is he saw the poetry in everything - felt true
Big fan of Purdy, thanks for the reminder and making the connection with Bukowski. Makes sense. Met him once too, at a book signing. Rooms for rent in the outer planets.
Purdy's great, but I think Canada's Bukowski is Irving Layton.
Snagged from Wikipedia so I get it right: Leonard Cohen once said of Layton, "I taught him how to dress, he taught me how to live forever."