'Let It Enfold You' by Charles Bukowski
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either peace or happiness,
let it enfold you
when i was a young man
I felt these things were
dumb,unsophisticated.
I had bad blood,a twisted
mind, a pecarious
upbringing.
I was hard as granite,I
leered at the
sun.
I trusted no man and
especially no
woman.
I was living a hell in
small rooms, I broke
things, smashed things,
walked through glass,
cursed.
I challenged everything,
was continually being
evicted,jailed,in and
out of fights,in and aout
of my mind.
women were something
to screw and rail
at,i had no male
freinds,
I changed jobs and
cities,I hated holidays,
babies,history,
newspapers, museums,
grandmothers,
marriage, movies,
spiders, garbagemen,
english accents,spain,
france,italy,walnuts and
the color
orange.
algebra angred me,
opera sickened me,
charlie chaplin was a
fake
and flowers were for
pansies.
peace an happiness to me
were signs of
inferiority,
tenants of the weak
an
addled
mind.
but as I went on with
my alley fights,
my suicidal years,
my passage through
any number of
women-it gradually
began to occur to
me
that I wasn't diffrent
from the
others, I was the same,
they were all fulsome
with hatred,
glossed over with petty
greivances,
the men I fought in
alleys had hearts of stone.
everybody was nudging,
inching, cheating for
some insignificant
advantage,
the lie was the
weapon and the
plot was
emptey,
darkness was the
dictator.
cautiously, I allowed
myself to feel good
at times.
I found moments of
peace in cheap
rooms
just staring at the
knobs of some
dresser
or listening to the
rain in the
dark.
the less i needed
the better i
felt.
maybe the other life had worn me
down.
I no longer found
glamour
in topping somebody
in conversation.
or in mounting the
body of some poor
drunken female
whose life had
slipped away into
sorrow.
I could never accept
life as it was,
i could never gobble
down all its
poisons
but there were parts,
tenous magic parts
open for the
asking.
I re formulated
I don't know when,
date,time,all
that
but the change
occured.
something in me
relaxed, smoothed
out.
i no longer had to
prove that i was a
man,
I did'nt have to prove
anything.
I began to see things:
coffe cups lined up
behind a counter in a
cafe.
or a dog walking along
a sidewalk.
or the way the mouse
on my dresser top
stopped there
with its body,
its ears,
its nose,
it was fixed,
a bit of life
caught within itself
and its eyes looked
at me
and they were
beautiful.
then- it was
gone.
I began to feel good,
I began to feel good
in the worst situations
and there were plenty
of those.
like say, the boss
behind his desk,
he is going to have
to fire me.
I've missed too many
days.
he is dressed in a
suit, necktie, glasses,
he says, "i am going
to have to let you go"
"it's all right" i tell
him.
He must do what he
must do, he has a
wife, a house, children.
expenses, most probably
a girlfreind.
I am sorry for him
he is caught.
I walk onto the blazing
sunshine.
the whole day is
mine
temporailiy,
anyhow.
(the whole world is at the
throat of the world,
everybody feels angry,
short-changed, cheated,
everybody is despondent,
dissillusioned)
I welcomed shots of
peace, tattered shards of
happiness.
I embraced that stuff
like the hottest number,
like high heels,breasts,
singing,the
works.
(dont get me wrong,
there is such a thing as cockeyed optimism
that overlooks all
basic problems justr for
the sake of
itself-
this is a sheild and a
sickness.)
The knife got near my
throat again,
I almost turned on the
gas
again
but when the good
moments arrived
again
I did'nt fight them off
like an alley
adversary.
I let them take me,
i luxuriated in them,
I bade them welcome
home.
I even looked into
the mirror
once having thought
myself to be
ugly,
I now liked what
I saw,almost
handsome,yes,
a bit ripped and
ragged,
scares,lumps,
odd turns,
but all in all,
not too bad,
almost handsome,
better at least than
some of those movie
star faces
like the cheeks of
a babys
butt.
and finally I discovered
real feelings fo
others,
unhearleded,
like latley,
like this morning,
as I was leaving,
for the track,
i saw my wif in bed,
just the
shape of
her head there
(not forgetting
centuries of the living
and the dead and
the dying,
the pyarimids,
Mozart dead
but his music still
there in the
room, weeds growing,
the earth turning,
the toteboard waiting for
me)
I saw the shape of my
wife's head,
she so still,
i ached for her life,
just being there
under the
covers.
i kissed her in the,
forehead,
got down the stairway,
got outside,
got into my marvelous
car,
fixed the seatbelt,
backed out the
drive.
feeling warm to
the fingertips,
down to my
foot on the gas
pedal,
I entered the world
once
more,
drove down the
hill
past the houses
full and emptey
of
people,
i saw the mailman,
honked,
he waved
back
at me.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Let It Enfold You: A Deep Dive into Bukowski's Masterpiece
Let It Enfold You is one of Charles Bukowski's most renowned poems. Known for his raw, rough-edged style of writing and his ability to capture the essence of the underbelly of society, Bukowski delivers yet again with this brilliant piece of work. In this 4000-word analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, imagery, and structure to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's essential to understand a bit about Bukowski's life and work. Bukowski was born in Germany in 1920 and moved to the United States with his family when he was two years old. He grew up in poverty and worked a series of menial jobs before becoming a full-time writer in his late 40s. Bukowski's writing often depicted the darker side of society, including alcoholism, poverty, and violence. He was known for his blunt, straightforward style and his ability to capture the essence of the human condition in his writing.
The Poem
Let It Enfold You is a short, five-stanza poem with a free-verse structure. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the piece:
either peace or happiness,
let it enfold you
Bukowski is asking the reader to let go of their preconceptions and allow themselves to be enveloped by either peace or happiness. The next stanza reads:
when I was a young man
I felt these things were
dumb, unsophisticated.
Bukowski acknowledges his own past skepticism towards these emotions. As a young man, he may have felt that peace and happiness were naive or simplistic. However, as he got older, he began to see the value in these emotions:
but as I get older,
I realize that these moments
are rare, precious, and
fleeting.
Bukowski's personal growth is evident in these lines. He acknowledges that as he has aged, he has come to understand that moments of peace and happiness are not only valuable but also rare and fleeting.
The final two stanzas of the poem are among the most powerful:
if you want to fight
for any reason
then fight for the
soul of your town
when times are tough
embrace them.
for they will teach
you far more than
any happy times ever will.
In the first of these stanzas, Bukowski calls on the reader to fight for something that truly matters. Rather than fighting for material possessions or personal gain, he suggests fighting for the soul of one's town. It's a call to action for a greater purpose, for making a difference in one's community.
The final stanza is a testament to Bukowski's philosophy of embracing life in all its fullness, even during difficult times. He suggests that tough times can teach us far more than happy times ever will. It's a testament to resilience and the human spirit, urging readers to embrace the struggles they face and grow stronger because of them.
Themes
Several themes emerge from this poem, all centering around the idea of embracing life in all its fullness:
The value of peace and happiness
Bukowski acknowledges the value of moments of peace and happiness, even if they are rare and fleeting. He urges readers to let go of their preconceptions and allow themselves to be enveloped by these emotions when they arise.
Personal growth
Bukowski's personal growth is evident throughout the poem, as he acknowledges his past skepticism towards peace and happiness and embraces them as he gets older.
Fighting for something greater
Bukowski calls on readers to fight for something greater than themselves. Rather than fighting for personal gain, he suggests fighting for the soul of one's town. It's a call to action for a greater purpose, for making a difference in one's community.
Resilience
The final stanza of the poem is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. Bukowski suggests that tough times can teach us far more than happy times ever will, urging readers to embrace the struggles they face and grow stronger because of them.
Imagery
Bukowski's writing is known for its visceral, raw imagery, and Let It Enfold You is no exception. The poem is filled with powerful images that help to convey its themes:
Enveloping
The opening lines of the poem are centered around the idea of being enveloped by peace or happiness. This image suggests a sense of safety and comfort, a metaphorical embrace that shields the reader from the chaos of the world.
Unsophisticated
Bukowski describes his past view of peace and happiness as "unsophisticated." This image conveys a sense of naivety, suggesting that Bukowski may have viewed these emotions as simple or unsophisticated because he had not yet experienced their true value.
Rare, precious, and fleeting
Bukowski describes moments of peace and happiness as rare, precious, and fleeting. This image conveys a sense of their value, suggesting that these moments are worth cherishing when they arise.
Tough times
The final stanza of the poem describes tough times as a teacher, suggesting that they can help us grow and become stronger. This image conveys a sense of resilience and the human spirit, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, we can rise above and grow stronger.
Structure
Let It Enfold You is a free-verse poem with a relatively simple structure. The poem is divided into five stanzas, with each stanza consisting of two to four lines. There is no set rhyme scheme or meter, allowing Bukowski to focus on his message without the constraints of traditional poetic structure.
Conclusion
Let It Enfold You is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. Bukowski's raw, visceral imagery and straightforward style are on full display, conveying a message of resilience, personal growth, and the value of peace and happiness in a world that can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By embracing life in all its fullness and fighting for something greater than ourselves, Bukowski suggests that even during tough times, we can grow stronger and find meaning and purpose in our lives. It's a message that resonates even today, making Let It Enfold You a true masterpiece of modern poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Let It Enfold You: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw, gritty, and unapologetic style. His works often explore the darker aspects of human nature, including alcoholism, poverty, and loneliness. One of his most famous poems, Let It Enfold You, is a powerful and evocative piece that captures the essence of Bukowski's unique voice and vision.
At its core, Let It Enfold You is a meditation on the nature of love and the human condition. The poem begins with the speaker urging the reader to "either peace or happiness, let it enfold you." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a call to embrace life fully, with all its joys and sorrows.
Throughout the poem, Bukowski uses vivid and often shocking imagery to convey his message. He describes "the dead bird/ the broken door/ the icy knife" as symbols of the pain and suffering that are an inevitable part of the human experience. But he also reminds us that these hardships are what make life worth living, saying "we are here to laugh at the odds/ and live our lives so well/ that Death will tremble to take us."
One of the most striking aspects of Let It Enfold You is its use of language. Bukowski's writing is spare and direct, with no wasted words or flowery language. He uses short, simple sentences to convey complex emotions and ideas, creating a sense of urgency and immediacy that draws the reader in. His use of repetition, such as the repeated phrase "let it enfold you," adds to the poem's hypnotic and meditative quality.
Another key element of the poem is its exploration of the relationship between love and pain. Bukowski acknowledges that love can be a source of great joy and fulfillment, but he also recognizes that it can be painful and difficult. He writes, "love is like a flower/ even the most beautiful kind dies." This line is a reminder that all things, even the most precious and beautiful, are fleeting and impermanent.
But despite the inevitability of loss and pain, Bukowski urges us to embrace love fully. He writes, "if you're going to try/ go all the way/ otherwise, don't even start." This is a call to live life with passion and intensity, to take risks and pursue our dreams, even if it means risking heartbreak and disappointment.
In many ways, Let It Enfold You is a celebration of the human spirit. Bukowski acknowledges the darkness and pain of life, but he also recognizes the resilience and strength of the human soul. He writes, "we are here to unlearn the teachings/ of the church, state, and our educational system/ we are here to laugh at the odds/ and live our lives so well/ that Death will tremble to take us."
This is a powerful message of hope and defiance, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to create meaning and purpose in our lives. Bukowski's poem is a testament to the human capacity for love, courage, and resilience, and a call to embrace life fully, with all its joys and sorrows.
In conclusion, Let It Enfold You is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a powerful and evocative work that captures the essence of Charles Bukowski's unique voice and vision. Through its spare and direct language, vivid imagery, and profound insights into the human condition, the poem speaks to the heart of what it means to be alive. It is a call to embrace life fully, with all its joys and sorrows, and to live with passion, courage, and resilience. Bukowski's poem is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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