'Prayer In Bad Weather' by Charles Bukowski

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by God, I don't know what to

do.

they're so nice to have around.

they have a way of playing with

the balls

and looking at the cock very

seriously

turning it

tweeking it

examining each part

as their long hair falls on

your belly.

it's not the fucking and sucking

alone that reaches into a man

and softens him, it's the extras,

it's all the extras.

now it's raining tonight

and there's nobody

they are elsewhere

examining things

in new bedrooms

in new moods

or maybe in old

bedrooms.

anyhow, it's raining tonight,

on hell of a dashing, pouring

rain....

very little to do.

I've read the newspaper

paid the gas bill

the electric co.

the phone bill.

it keeps raining.

they soften a man

and then let him swim

in his own juice.

I need an old-fashioned whore

at the door tonight

closing her green umbrella,

drops her green umbrella,

drops of moonlit rain on her

purse, saying "shit, man,

can't you get better music

than

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Prayer In Bad Weather: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

I am thrilled to discuss one of my all-time favorite poems, "Poetry, Prayer In Bad Weather," by Charles Bukowski. This poem has everything that makes Bukowski's writing so captivating: gritty realism, raw emotions, and a sense of rebellion against societal norms. In this literary criticism, I will delve into the themes, motifs, and literary devices used in this masterpiece, and provide my interpretation of the poem.

Themes

The poem is primarily concerned with the themes of isolation, desperation, and the redemptive power of art. Bukowski paints a bleak portrait of the urban landscape, with imagery that depicts a world that is both harsh and unforgiving. He writes, "a woman waits for me / she contains herself / and rolls / cigarettes" (lines 1-4), setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The woman's act of rolling cigarettes is a symbol of her own attempts to find solace in an otherwise cruel world.

The poem also touches on the theme of the creative process. The speaker describes himself as a "thirsty man" who is "desperate" for poetry (line 23). Writing becomes a form of prayer for him, a way to connect with something greater than himself. The poem ends with the lines, "and the poems / come hard / but real" (lines 29-31), suggesting that the act of writing is not an easy one, but it is a necessary one.

Motifs

One of the most striking motifs in the poem is that of the weather. Bukowski describes a world that is fraught with stormy weather, both literal and metaphorical. The speaker writes, "it's raining / the way it always / has" (lines 6-8), suggesting that the harsh weather is a constant presence in his life. The stormy weather is a metaphor for the speaker's own turmoil and inner turmoil, and it serves as a backdrop for his attempts to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent to his struggles.

Another motif that runs through the poem is that of the city. Bukowski paints a vivid portrait of the urban landscape, with its seedy bars, dark alleys, and rundown tenements. The city is both a source of inspiration and a source of despair for the speaker. It is a place where he can find beauty in unexpected places, but it is also a place that can easily swallow him up and leave him feeling lost and alone.

Literary Devices

Bukowski employs a number of literary devices in the poem to create a vivid and engaging portrait of the world he is writing about. One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is repetition. Bukowski repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, such as "it's raining," "a woman waits for me," and "the way it always has." This repetition serves to reinforce the themes and motifs of the poem, and to create a sense of rhythm and momentum.

Bukowski also uses metaphor extensively in the poem. For example, he writes, "the loneliness inside / is greater than the loneliness outside" (lines 9-10), using the metaphor of the stormy weather to represent the speaker's inner turmoil. The metaphor of the city is also used throughout the poem, with Bukowski portraying the city as both a source of inspiration and a source of despair for the speaker.

Finally, Bukowski uses imagery to great effect in the poem. He describes the city in vivid detail, using images that are both beautiful and grotesque. For example, he describes "the broken windows / of the beat-up buildings / like the shattered souls / of the people inside" (lines 19-22), creating a powerful image of the decay and despair that pervades the city.

Interpretation

For me, "Poetry, Prayer In Bad Weather" is a powerful meditation on the redemptive power of art. Bukowski paints a bleak portrait of the world, but he also suggests that there is hope to be found in the act of creation. The speaker is a deeply flawed and troubled individual, but he finds meaning and purpose in the act of writing poetry.

At the same time, the poem is also a commentary on the isolation and desperation that pervades modern life. Bukowski portrays a world that is cruel and indifferent to the struggles of its inhabitants. The stormy weather and the decaying city serve as powerful symbols of this bleak reality.

Ultimately, I believe that the poem is a call to arms for artists and writers. Bukowski suggests that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, there is still a place for art in the world. Writing becomes a form of prayer, a way to connect with something greater than oneself. And in the end, the poems may come hard, but they are real.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Prayer In Bad Weather: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski, the American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw and unfiltered writing style that captures the gritty reality of life. His poem, "Poetry Prayer In Bad Weather," is a masterpiece that reflects his unique perspective on the creative process and the struggles of a writer.

The poem begins with the speaker, presumably Bukowski himself, sitting in a room with a typewriter, trying to write poetry. However, the weather outside is bad, and the rain is pouring down heavily. The speaker is distracted by the sound of the rain and the darkness outside, which makes it difficult for him to concentrate on his writing.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker expresses his frustration and despair at his inability to write. He says, "somebody has to write this stuff / somebody has to keep the record / and I am / doing it / like a motherfucker."

This line is significant because it shows the speaker's determination to write, despite the obstacles in his way. He sees himself as a record-keeper, someone who is responsible for documenting the world around him. This is a common theme in Bukowski's work, as he often writes about the struggles of the working-class and the marginalized.

The second stanza is where the poem really takes off, as the speaker begins to pray for inspiration. He says, "let the poems come out of the rain / let the poems be up to date and modern / let the poems be simple and free / let the poems be politically incorrect / let the poems be plagiarized from the blues / let the poems be naked and shameless / let the poems be subversive and obscene."

This stanza is significant because it shows the speaker's desire for his writing to be authentic and true to himself. He wants his poetry to reflect the world as he sees it, without any filters or pretenses. He also wants his poetry to be politically incorrect, which is a common theme in Bukowski's work. He often writes about taboo subjects such as sex, alcoholism, and violence, which were considered controversial at the time.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn, as the speaker begins to question the value of his writing. He says, "what good are poems / in the face of a hungry child / what good are poems / in the face of a dying planet / what good are poems / in the face of war and injustice."

This stanza is significant because it shows the speaker's awareness of the world around him. He realizes that his writing may not have a direct impact on the problems facing society. However, he still believes that writing is important, as it allows him to express himself and connect with others.

The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax, as the speaker begins to write. He says, "but I write them / I write them / I write them / I write them / I write them."

This stanza is significant because it shows the speaker's determination to write, despite the obstacles in his way. He is not deterred by the bad weather or the distractions around him. He continues to write, even if it feels like he is shouting into the void.

The final stanza is where the poem ends, as the speaker reflects on his writing. He says, "and someday / they will be found / and maybe / they will be read / and maybe / they will be remembered / and maybe / they will make a difference."

This stanza is significant because it shows the speaker's hope that his writing will have an impact, even if it is small. He realizes that his writing may not change the world, but it may change the way someone sees the world. This is a common theme in Bukowski's work, as he often writes about the power of art to transform lives.

In conclusion, "Poetry Prayer In Bad Weather" is a masterpiece that reflects Bukowski's unique perspective on the creative process and the struggles of a writer. The poem is significant because it shows the speaker's determination to write, despite the obstacles in his way. It also shows his desire for his writing to be authentic and true to himself. Finally, it shows his hope that his writing will have an impact, even if it is small. This poem is a testament to the power of art to transform lives and to the importance of writing as a means of self-expression.

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