deepundergroundpoetry.com
A Quintuple of Poets: Part IV
Charles Bukowski, 18th Century Polish-
Lithuanian Commonwealth, ragman
eschewed obligation, wealth
lived off persimmons, wild berries—
discerned the nuthatch's ballad;
her blue-coat worn to overthrow
[ their ] government;
but, nested his heart instead;
he couldn't source tone
after that—
indelible as an aria
tuned in nonetheless
vibrating hollow bone
every
60 seconds—
no closer, nor further
than moments before;
bracken-crackled steps
onward, woodland paths—
peasantry: death
wealthy aristocrats
exorbitant lifestyles trashed
by poetic wisdom;
a Cold Summer of birdsong
spent remotely caged behind ribs—
trilling each reclusive verse
over tavern ale
between remote villages;
[ it was ] nice enough to make a man
weep
but [ he didn't ]
~
Lithuanian Commonwealth, ragman
eschewed obligation, wealth
lived off persimmons, wild berries—
discerned the nuthatch's ballad;
her blue-coat worn to overthrow
[ their ] government;
but, nested his heart instead;
he couldn't source tone
after that—
indelible as an aria
tuned in nonetheless
vibrating hollow bone
every
60 seconds—
no closer, nor further
than moments before;
bracken-crackled steps
onward, woodland paths—
peasantry: death
wealthy aristocrats
exorbitant lifestyles trashed
by poetic wisdom;
a Cold Summer of birdsong
spent remotely caged behind ribs—
trilling each reclusive verse
over tavern ale
between remote villages;
[ it was ] nice enough to make a man
weep
but [ he didn't ]
~
Published 15th May 2019
Author's Note
93 words / 93 unique ( sans quote )
Italics: Charles Bukowski: Bluebird, Cold Summer, i wanted to overthrow the government but all i brought down was somebody's wife
Image; Ragman, public domain
Italics: Charles Bukowski: Bluebird, Cold Summer, i wanted to overthrow the government but all i brought down was somebody's wife
Image; Ragman, public domain
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 10
reading list entries 3
comments 13
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Anonymous
- Edited 8th May 2020 8:45pm
15th May 2019 3:17am
<< post removed >>
Oh God, thank you for saying that. He is one of my favorites. I hoped to get this one right.
Have you ever read Bluebird? Or, listened to him recite it? When people ask me about Bukowski, I tell them that poem is all they need to know about him. Seriously.
Thank you, woman.
Have you ever read Bluebird? Or, listened to him recite it? When people ask me about Bukowski, I tell them that poem is all they need to know about him. Seriously.
Thank you, woman.
Anonymous
- Edited 8th May 2020 8:45pm
15th May 2019 4:51am
<< post removed >>
15th May 2019 4:04am
There's a certain undeniable charm to the man and I think you captured his edge and capacity for deep profound thinking nicely here.
15th May 2019 4:06am
Thank you, Ani. I guess I met the Bluebird inside him and realize why he did everything he did.
how I wish I could write poetry just like that, wordy, musical and sublime, I tip my pen to you
15th May 2019 6:18am
15th May 2019 9:02am
Beautifully rendered dear Ahavati. I need to read his Bluebird. Thank you for sharing this poem.
15th May 2019 2:31pm
Thank you, Summer. I appreciate that.
Listening to him is more impactful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmWZOsVtqR0
Listening to him is more impactful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmWZOsVtqR0
Anonymous
- Edited 15th May 2019 12:03pm
15th May 2019 12:00pm
"Tribute" seems to be too weak of a word to describe this series, I dunno why. "Introduction" is more apt. I'm certainly getting an education.
It is at least heartwarming to know in real life he recognized there was a bluebird within his heart.
This poem shows him embracing it more fully through a life of minimalism that would be deemed a hard life by others with wealth; a metaphor for the hard life he did live as a common working, drinking and whoring man.
The rag clothing to me also symbolizes the housing of it in a nest similar to that of branches woven together. Bukowski being the bluebird.
❤📝
It is at least heartwarming to know in real life he recognized there was a bluebird within his heart.
This poem shows him embracing it more fully through a life of minimalism that would be deemed a hard life by others with wealth; a metaphor for the hard life he did live as a common working, drinking and whoring man.
The rag clothing to me also symbolizes the housing of it in a nest similar to that of branches woven together. Bukowski being the bluebird.
❤📝
15th May 2019 2:35pm
I always love when commenters see more than even I saw. It gives so much more life to the piece.
Thank you. ❤📝
Thank you. ❤📝
15th May 2019 3:15pm
I have to slow down to read poetry.
I keep reading these. They are beautiful.
I read some poetry and think that I just don't get poetry. Or good poetry, maybe. Words like an incantation that can evoke something beyond their basic meaning.
So that the heart gets it before the brain does.
Anyway, I love these.
Amazing and beautiful.
Thanks.
I keep reading these. They are beautiful.
I read some poetry and think that I just don't get poetry. Or good poetry, maybe. Words like an incantation that can evoke something beyond their basic meaning.
So that the heart gets it before the brain does.
Anyway, I love these.
Amazing and beautiful.
Thanks.
15th May 2019 3:57pm
That is a lovely comment, javalini. And much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
