'Be Kind' by Charles Bukowski
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
we are always asked
to understand the other person's
viewpoint
no matter how
out-dated
foolish or
obnoxious.
one is asked
to view
their total error
their life-waste
with
kindliness,
especially if they are
aged.
but age is the total of
our doing.
they have aged
badly
because they have
lived
out of focus,
they have refused to
see.
not their fault?
whose fault?
mine?
I am asked to hide
my viewpoint
from them
for fear of their
fear.
age is no crime
but the shame
of a deliberately
wasted
life
among so many
deliberately
wasted
lives
is.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Be Kind: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Charles Bukowski is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. His works are characterized by their raw and gritty portrayal of life, often exploring the themes of poverty, alcoholism, and the struggles of being a writer. One of his most famous poems, "Be Kind," is a prime example of Bukowski's unique style and perspective.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and symbolism present in "Be Kind" and dig deeper into Bukowski's message to his readers.
Summary
"Be Kind" is a short poem consisting of only three stanzas. The poem is addressed to a young writer who is seeking Bukowski's advice. Bukowski tells the writer to "be kind" to himself and to others, as life is too short to waste time on negativity.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Bukowski telling the writer to "be kind" to himself, to not be too hard on himself, and to not let others bring him down. He tells the writer that life is hard enough as it is, and that he shouldn't make it any harder by being too critical of himself.
In the second stanza, Bukowski expands on the idea of being kind to others. He tells the writer to be kind to everyone he meets, as everyone is fighting their own battles. He reminds the writer that life is short and unpredictable, and that the best thing he can do is spread kindness wherever he goes.
The third and final stanza is a call to action. Bukowski tells the writer to "be kind" in everything he does, whether it's writing, working, or simply living. He advises the writer to let his kindness be his legacy, as it will outlast anything else he accomplishes in his life.
Analysis
"Be Kind" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of self-love, compassion, and the importance of kindness in a world that can often be cruel and unforgiving. While the poem is simple in its structure and language, it is rich in symbolism and meaning.
First and foremost, the poem is a call to action. Bukowski is telling the young writer (and his readers) that it is not enough to simply exist in the world. We must actively choose to be kind to ourselves and to others if we want to make a positive impact on the world around us.
The repetition of the phrase "be kind" throughout the poem is significant. It serves as a reminder to the reader that kindness is not just a one-time act, but a way of life. Bukowski is urging his readers to make kindness a habit, to make it a part of their daily routine.
The poem also touches on the idea of self-love and acceptance. Bukowski tells the writer to be kind to himself, to not be too hard on himself. This is an important message, especially for writers and artists who can often be their own worst critics. Bukowski is reminding the writer (and all of us) that we are human, and that it's okay to make mistakes and have flaws.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. Bukowski tells the writer to be kind to everyone he meets, as everyone is fighting their own battles. This is a powerful reminder that we never truly know what someone else is going through, and that a simple act of kindness can go a long way in making someone's day a little brighter.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, urging the writer (and all of us) to make kindness a priority in our lives. This is an important message, especially in today's world where negativity and hate seem to be all around us. Bukowski is reminding us that we have the power to make a positive impact on the world, one small act of kindness at a time.
Conclusion
"Be Kind" is a powerful and inspiring poem that encourages readers to be kind to themselves and to others. Bukowski's message is simple yet profound: that kindness is a choice, and that it is up to us to make that choice every day.
The poem serves as a reminder that we never truly know what someone else is going through, and that a simple act of kindness can go a long way in making someone's day a little brighter.
Overall, "Be Kind" is a testament to the power of kindness and compassion in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving. It is a call to action, urging us all to make kindness a priority in our lives, and to let our kindness be our legacy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Be Kind: A Poem by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the American poet, novelist, and short story writer, is known for his raw and unapologetic style of writing. His works often explore the darker side of life, including alcoholism, poverty, and relationships. However, in his poem "Be Kind," Bukowski takes a different approach and delivers a powerful message about the importance of kindness.
The poem begins with the lines, "we are always asked / to understand the other person's / viewpoint / no matter how / out-dated / foolish or / obnoxious." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Bukowski acknowledges the difficulty of understanding others and their perspectives. He recognizes that people can hold beliefs and opinions that may seem outdated or foolish to others, but he still urges readers to be kind and try to understand them.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the struggles that people face in their daily lives. He writes, "we are all struggling / to escape / the flames of / consciousness / a certain / sense of doom / is upon us." Here, Bukowski is referring to the existential dread that many people experience, the feeling that life is meaningless and that we are all just waiting for death. He suggests that this sense of doom is something that we all share, regardless of our individual circumstances.
Despite these struggles, Bukowski insists that kindness is still possible. He writes, "we must be kind / while there is still / time." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that time is running out for us to be kind to one another. It implies that we should not wait until it is too late to show kindness to others.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the ways in which we can be kind. He writes, "for every / atom belonging to me as good belongs to you." This line suggests that we are all connected, and that what is good for one person is good for all of us. Bukowski is urging readers to recognize this connection and to act accordingly.
He then writes, "remember / the time you / plant the seed / remember / the time you / watered it / and the time / you harvested it." This line is a metaphor for the way in which kindness can grow and spread. Just as a seed needs to be planted, watered, and harvested in order to grow, kindness needs to be shown, nurtured, and shared in order to spread.
Bukowski concludes the poem with the lines, "say you have seen / something / and you thought it was ugly / but it was someone's / belief / please be kind." This final stanza is a reminder that we should be kind even when we disagree with someone. It is easy to be kind to those who share our beliefs and values, but it is much harder to be kind to those who hold different beliefs. Bukowski is urging readers to be kind even in these situations, to recognize that everyone has their own beliefs and perspectives, and to try to understand them.
Overall, "Be Kind" is a powerful poem that urges readers to recognize the importance of kindness in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving. Bukowski acknowledges the struggles that people face, but he also reminds us that kindness is still possible. He urges readers to recognize our connection to one another and to act accordingly, to plant the seed of kindness and nurture it so that it can grow and spread. In a world that can often feel hopeless, "Be Kind" is a reminder that there is still hope, and that kindness can make a difference.
Editor Recommended Sites
XAI: Explainable AI: Explainable AI for use cases in medical, insurance and auditing. Explain large language model reasoning and deep generative neural networksOcaml Tips: Ocaml Programming Tips and tricks
Multi Cloud Tips: Tips on multicloud deployment from the experts
Mesh Ops: Operations for cloud mesh deploymentsin AWS and GCP
Switch Tears of the Kingdom fan page: Fan page for the sequal to breath of the wild 2
Recommended Similar Analysis
Idylls Of The King: Song From The Marriage Of Geraint by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysisMazeppa by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Little Summer Poem Touching The Subject Of Faith by Mary Oliver analysis
The System Of Dr. Tarr And Prof. Fether by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Sun Rising, The by John Donne analysis
Isles of Greece, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds by William Shakespeare analysis
Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday by Dorothy Parker analysis
The Betrothed by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Sonnet XXXIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis