'Decline' by Charles Bukowski
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naked along the side of the house,
8 a.m., spreading sesame seed oil
over my body, Jesus, have I come
to this?
I once battled in dark alleys for a
laugh.
now I'm not laughing.
I splash myself with oil and wonder,
how many years do you want?
how many days?
my blood is soiled and a dark
angel sits in my brain.
things are made of something and
go to nothing.
I understand the fall of cities, of
nations.
a small plane passes overhead.
I look upward as if it made sense to
look upward.
it's true, the sky has rotted:
it won't be long for any of
us.
from
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Decline by Charles Bukowski: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Poetry, Decline is a masterful piece of literature by Charles Bukowski that captures the essence of despair and hopelessness in modern American poetry. It is a poem that speaks to the disillusionment of the poet, who sees the decline of poetry in the society around him. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and forms used by Bukowski in this poem that make it a timeless classic.
Background to Bukowski
Charles Bukowski is one of the most celebrated and controversial poets of the 20th century. His work is characterized by a raw, unfiltered, and often vulgar language that reflects his experiences growing up in poverty and his struggles with alcoholism and other vices. Bukowski's poetry is known for its brutal honesty and its portrayal of the darker side of human nature. His poems often deal with themes of alienation, isolation, and the struggle for survival in a world that is hostile to the weak and the vulnerable.
The Theme of Decline
Poetry, Decline is a poem that speaks to the decline of poetry in the modern world. Bukowski laments the loss of meaning and significance in contemporary poetry, which he sees as being reduced to empty words and sterile images. The poem begins with a powerful opening line that sets the tone for the rest of the work: "the impossibility of being human, all too human." This line captures the sense of alienation and despair that runs through the entire poem.
Bukowski's use of the word "impossibility" highlights the sense of hopelessness that permeates the poem. He sees human existence as being inherently flawed and doomed to failure. The phrase "all too human" suggests that this sense of despair is not unique to the poet but is something that is shared by all human beings. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem as Bukowski describes the decay and decline of poetry in the contemporary world.
The Symbolism of the Tiger
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the tiger. Bukowski describes the tiger as being trapped in a cage, pacing back and forth in frustration. The image of the tiger represents the poet himself, who feels trapped and powerless in a world that is hostile to his art. The tiger's pacing back and forth suggests a sense of restlessness and agitation, which is mirrored in the poet's own feelings of frustration and despair.
Bukowski's use of the tiger also serves as a metaphor for the decline of poetry. The tiger, like poetry, is a powerful and majestic creature that has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. The image of the tiger pacing back and forth in a cage suggests that poetry has lost its freedom and its ability to inspire and move people in the way that it once did.
The Form of the Poem
The form of Poetry, Decline is as important as its content. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This form allows Bukowski to express himself freely and to capture the raw emotion and intensity of his feelings. The lack of formal structure also reflects the chaotic and disordered world that Bukowski describes in the poem.
The use of repetition in the poem is another important aspect of its form. Bukowski repeats the phrase "it's gone, it's gone" several times throughout the poem. This repetition highlights the sense of loss and despair that runs through the poem, and emphasizes the idea that something important has been lost and can never be regained.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry, Decline is a powerful and emotive poem that captures the essence of despair and hopelessness in modern American poetry. Bukowski's use of powerful symbols, evocative imagery, and free verse form make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem speaks to the decline of poetry in the contemporary world, and the sense of loss and disillusionment that many artists feel in a society that values material success over creativity and artistic expression. Poetry, Decline is a reminder of the importance of art and creativity in our lives, and a call to action for artists to continue to create and inspire in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Decline: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw, honest, and unapologetic style of writing. His works often revolve around the themes of alcoholism, poverty, and the gritty realities of life. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Decline," is a scathing critique of the state of contemporary poetry and the commercialization of art. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the decline of poetry, stating that "we don't read and write poetry because it's cute." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Bukowski makes it clear that he believes poetry should not be reduced to a mere commodity or a form of entertainment. He goes on to criticize the "poetry industry" and the way in which it has turned poetry into a product to be sold and marketed. He writes, "the poets pour their feelings into brassieres, the businessmen sell brassieres." This line is a powerful metaphor for the way in which art has been commodified and stripped of its emotional depth and authenticity.
Bukowski then turns his attention to the poets themselves, accusing them of being "too busy to write much." He suggests that many contemporary poets are more concerned with their public image and their status within the literary community than with the actual act of writing poetry. He writes, "they write poetry for the wrong reasons." This line is a critique of the way in which many poets have become more concerned with fame and recognition than with the art itself.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Bukowski reflects on his own experiences as a writer. He writes, "I write poems because it's the only thing that fully satisfies me." This line is a powerful statement about the importance of art as a means of self-expression and fulfillment. Bukowski suggests that writing poetry is not just a hobby or a profession, but a way of life.
The poem then returns to its critique of the poetry industry, as Bukowski writes, "the publishers, the editors, the critics, the buyers, the academics, the babbling masses." This line is a scathing indictment of the way in which the literary establishment has become disconnected from the actual act of writing poetry. Bukowski suggests that many of these individuals are more concerned with their own status and power than with the actual art of poetry.
Bukowski then concludes the poem with a powerful statement about the importance of poetry. He writes, "there is a place in the heart that will never be filled, a space, and even during the best moments, and the greatest times, we will know it." This line is a reminder that art, and poetry in particular, has the power to touch us in a way that nothing else can. It speaks to the idea that there is a fundamental human need for self-expression and connection, and that poetry can fulfill that need in a way that nothing else can.
In terms of literary devices, Bukowski employs a number of techniques to convey his message. One of the most prominent is repetition, as he repeats the phrase "we don't read and write poetry because it's cute" throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the central message of the poem, and to drive home the idea that poetry should not be reduced to a mere commodity.
Bukowski also employs metaphor throughout the poem, using images such as brassieres and babbling masses to convey his message. These metaphors serve to make the poem more vivid and memorable, and to give the reader a sense of the depth of Bukowski's frustration with the state of contemporary poetry.
In terms of historical context, it is important to note that "Poetry Decline" was written in the 1970s, a time when the counterculture movement was in full swing and many artists were pushing back against the commercialization of art. Bukowski was part of this movement, and his poem can be seen as a reflection of the broader cultural critique of the time.
In conclusion, "Poetry Decline" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the importance of art and the dangers of commercialization. Bukowski's raw and unapologetic style of writing is on full display here, as he critiques the poetry industry and the poets themselves. The poem serves as a reminder that art should not be reduced to a mere commodity, and that poetry has the power to touch us in a way that nothing else can.
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