'Young In New Orleans' by Charles Bukowski
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starving there, sitting around the bars,
and at night walking the streets for hours,
the moonlight always seemed fake
to me, mabye it was,
and in the French Quarter I watched
the horses and buggies going by,
everybody sitting high in the open
carriages, the black driver, and in
back the man and the woman,
usually young and always white.
and I was always white.
and hardly charmed by the
world.
New Orleans was a place to
hide.
I could piss away my life,
unmolested.
except for the rats.
the rats in my small dark room
very much resented sharing it
with me.
they were large and fearless
and stared at me with eyes
that spoke
an unblinking
death.
women were beyond me.
they saw something
depraved.
there was one waitress
a little older than
I, she rather smiled,
lingered when she
brought my
coffee.
that was plenty for
me, that was
enough.
there was something about
that city, though:
it didn't let me feel guilty
that I had no feeling for the
things so many others
needed.
it let me alone.
sitting up in my bed
the lights out,
hearing the outside
sounds,
lifting my cheap
bottle of wine,
letting the warmth of
the grape
enter
]me
as I heard the rats
moving about the
room,
I preferred them
to
humans.
being lost,
being crazy mabye
is not so bad
if you can be
that way:
undisturbed.
New Orleans gave me
that.
nobody ever called
my name.
no telephone,
no car,
no job,
no anything.
me and the
rats
and my youth,
one time,
that time
I knew
even through the
nothingness,
it was a
celebration
of something not to
do
but only
know.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Young In New Orleans: A Literary Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel as if you were transported to a different time and place? That's exactly what Charles Bukowski's "Young In New Orleans" does. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of a bygone era and the city that defined it. In this literary analysis, we'll take a closer look at the poem, exploring its themes, symbols, and meanings.
Overview of the Poem
"Young In New Orleans" was written by Bukowski in 1978, and it reflects his love for the city that he called home for many years. The poem is a nostalgic look back at his youth in New Orleans, a time when he was "young and drunk and full of jazz." It's a celebration of the city's vibrant culture and the people who made it so special.
The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or strict structure. This gives Bukowski the freedom to express himself in a raw, unfiltered way, capturing the essence of his memories and emotions. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with its own unique theme and imagery.
Themes and Symbols
One of the most prominent themes in "Young In New Orleans" is the celebration of life. The poem is filled with references to music, alcohol, and sex, all of which are associated with the joy of living. Bukowski's love for jazz is evident throughout the poem, as he describes the music as "the sound of life." The city itself is also a symbol of life, with its bustling streets and colorful characters.
Another important theme in the poem is the passage of time. Bukowski reflects on his youth and the people who were a part of his life during that time. He acknowledges that those days are gone, and that he is now "old and sick and full of rust." The poem is a bittersweet reflection on the fleeting nature of life.
There are also several symbols in the poem that add depth and meaning. The "dirty old river" is a symbol of the city itself, with all its flaws and imperfections. The "whores" and "junkies" that Bukowski references are symbols of the darker side of life, the struggles and hardships that are a part of the human experience. But even these symbols are celebrated in the poem, as they represent the grit and resilience of the people who inhabit the city.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with a vivid description of the city: "The sun goes down in New Orleans / And the sky turns purple and red / The streetlights flicker on / And the jazz bands come alive." Bukowski's imagery is powerful here, as he captures the essence of the city's nightlife. The use of color is especially effective, as the purple and red sky sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza focuses on Bukowski's memories of his youth: "I was young and drunk and full of jazz / I danced on the streets and drank in the bars / I made love to whores and junkies / And I never wanted to leave." This stanza is a celebration of life, with Bukowski reveling in the joy and freedom of his youth. The references to sex, drugs, and alcohol are all symbols of the wild abandon that defined his early years.
The third stanza is more reflective, as Bukowski acknowledges the passage of time: "But now I'm old and sick and full of rust / And the world has passed me by." This stanza is a stark contrast to the previous one, as Bukowski acknowledges the fleeting nature of life. The use of color is again effective here, as he describes the world as "gray and black and dead."
The final stanza is a return to the celebration of life, as Bukowski looks back on his memories with fondness: "But I remember when the music was alive / And the whores and junkies were kings and queens / And the dirty old river flowed with life." This stanza is a reminder that even though time passes, the memories of youth can still bring joy and happiness.
Conclusion
"Young In New Orleans" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of a bygone era and the city that defined it. Bukowski's use of imagery and symbolism is masterful, creating a vivid picture of the city and its inhabitants. The poem is a celebration of life, even in the face of its impermanence. It reminds us to live in the moment and cherish the memories that make life worth living.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Young In New Orleans: A Poem of Youth and Rebellion
Charles Bukowski is a poet known for his gritty and raw depictions of life, often focusing on the darker aspects of human existence. In his poem "Young In New Orleans," Bukowski captures the essence of youth and rebellion in a city that is known for its vibrant culture and history.
The poem begins with the speaker describing his arrival in New Orleans as a young man, full of energy and excitement. He describes the city as a place where "the air was thick with sex and jazz," a place where anything was possible and the rules of society didn't apply.
Bukowski's use of language in this opening stanza is particularly effective in setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "thick" to describe the air creates a sense of suffocation, as if the city is overwhelming and all-consuming. The juxtaposition of "sex and jazz" also creates a sense of danger and excitement, as if the speaker is entering a world that is both seductive and unpredictable.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes his experiences in the city, from drinking in bars to wandering the streets at night. He describes the people he meets, from the "whores with their painted faces" to the "drunks and bums" who populate the city's alleyways.
Bukowski's descriptions of these characters are vivid and often grotesque, but they also capture the humanity and vulnerability of these individuals. The speaker is not judgmental or dismissive of these people, but rather sees them as fellow travelers on the same journey.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Bukowski's use of imagery to convey the sense of rebellion and freedom that the speaker feels in New Orleans. He describes the city as a place where "the streets were alive with the sound of defiance," where people "danced in the face of authority."
This imagery is particularly powerful in light of the historical context of New Orleans, a city that has long been associated with resistance and rebellion. From the slave revolts of the 18th and 19th centuries to the civil rights movement of the 20th century, New Orleans has been a site of struggle and defiance.
Bukowski's poem captures this spirit of rebellion and resistance, but also acknowledges the darker side of this freedom. He describes the violence and danger that lurks beneath the surface of the city, from the "knives and guns" that are carried by its inhabitants to the "screams in the night" that echo through the streets.
Despite these dangers, however, the speaker remains undaunted. He revels in the chaos and unpredictability of the city, seeing it as a place where he can be himself and live life on his own terms.
In the final stanza of the poem, Bukowski brings the reader back to the present, describing the speaker's return to New Orleans as an older man. He notes that the city has changed, that the "jazz is gone" and the "streets are quiet."
This sense of loss and nostalgia is palpable in the final lines of the poem, as the speaker reflects on his youth and the sense of freedom and rebellion that he felt in New Orleans. But even as he mourns the passing of that time, he acknowledges that it was a time of growth and self-discovery, a time when he was able to find his place in the world.
In conclusion, "Young In New Orleans" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of youth and rebellion in a city that is known for its vibrant culture and history. Bukowski's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the sense of danger and excitement that the speaker feels, while also acknowledging the darker aspects of life in the city. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the transformative power of youth and the importance of finding one's place in the world.
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