Fine homage. There is also the Raymond Carver poem about attending a Bukowski reading in Santa Cruz back in the '70s (You Don't Know What Love Is), and these...
There is a scene in Barfly with Hank and Maggie running around in a backyard cornfield. This from the backyard of a comrade who could not afford to go the local super and buy over the counter veggies. PRICELESS Yō!
Thank you so much for sharing these A. D. Winans tributes to Bukowski with us, Erik. Reading Bukowski, the only bad thing is that it makes me realize whenever I consider myself a poet that I'm just an ambitious pretender.....
Thank you for your very touching article. I am shocked by his grave, however. Bukowski's epitaph is rather grimly pessimistic: "Don't try."
I did some research and the following was an explanation I found:
"He personally insisted that this particular epitaph, along with his name, dates of birth and death, and a little icon of a boxer be inscribed onto his gravestone, signifying that his life indeed was one big struggle."
Fine homage. There is also the Raymond Carver poem about attending a Bukowski reading in Santa Cruz back in the '70s (You Don't Know What Love Is), and these...
Bukowski—When I Met Him
When I met Bukowski I beat him
3 straight times arm wrestling.
I let him win the 4th time
I felt so sorry for him
In his stained, smelly tee shirt.
He stunk like a dirty old man
Even though he was only 41,
But then, he was born that way.
He knew it. We all did.
We forgave him because he said things
We wanted to say to our parents,
Teachers, bosses and anyone else
Who pushed us around.
“When the sun gets in my face
I slap the shit out of it,” Bukowski said.
“When the moon puts on lipstick
& wiggles around in tight jeans,
I fuck her till her dark side lights up.”
He said all kinds of crazy shit,
But the closest we got to saying such
Things was reading them in his books
Or nodding approval at his readings.
Yes, we all wanted to be like him, but none
Pulled it off. Still, I could take that asshole
At arm wrestling, and that’s something.
“Go ahead and crow,” he said.
“You sonofabitch. You earned it.”
I need to see the movie Barfly again, now that I know Bukowski better - and see if it comes anywhere close to carrying his spirit.
Such a potent soul.
Bukowski was one of the great poets of his day....
What a great friend! Absolutely wonderful post. Thanks so much.
There is a scene in Barfly with Hank and Maggie running around in a backyard cornfield. This from the backyard of a comrade who could not afford to go the local super and buy over the counter veggies. PRICELESS Yō!
Thank you so much for sharing these A. D. Winans tributes to Bukowski with us, Erik. Reading Bukowski, the only bad thing is that it makes me realize whenever I consider myself a poet that I'm just an ambitious pretender.....
i needed this. Grateful
Wow, that surprised me. The man writes just like buko.
I
thank you!!!
Thank you for your very touching article. I am shocked by his grave, however. Bukowski's epitaph is rather grimly pessimistic: "Don't try."
I did some research and the following was an explanation I found:
"He personally insisted that this particular epitaph, along with his name, dates of birth and death, and a little icon of a boxer be inscribed onto his gravestone, signifying that his life indeed was one big struggle."
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/08/24/dont-try/
https://www.openculture.com/2013/02/dont_try_charles_bukowskis_concise_philosophy_of_art_and_life.html
If true, the reason for the epitaph left me feeling very empty. For me, Bukowski's philosophy was better reflected by his poem "Go All the Way."
“if you are going to try, go all the way.. Otherwise, don’t even start.. If you are going to try, go all the way...."
Here is a very generous explanation for the epitaph (starts at 3:24):
https://youtu.be/eMTDAHK-tkE?si=i6sgvEcEVWSrJAg4