'This Then' by Charles Bukowski
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it's the same as before
or the other time
or the time before that.
here's a cock
and here's a cunt
and here's trouble.
only each time
you think
well now I've learned:
I'll let her do that
and I'll do this,
I no longer want it all,
just some comfort
and some sex
and only a minor
love.
now I'm waiting again
and the years run thin.
I have my radio
and the kitchen walls
are yellow.
I keep dumping bottles
and listening
for footsteps.
I hope that death contains
less than this.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Analysis and Interpretation of "This Then" by Charles Bukowski
When we think of Charles Bukowski, we picture a rough, hard-drinking, and unconventional writer who lived his life on the fringes of society. His poems are often stripped of the flowery language of traditional poetry and instead raw, honest, and unpretentious. One such poem is "This Then," a short but powerful piece that captures Bukowski's gritty, nihilistic worldview.
The Poem
Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's first read "This Then" in its entirety:
there will always be something to say
there will always be something to write
about
the danger is in the
not writing
not saying
for out of that nothing
might come
something
and then what do you do?
the blank screen is a horrible
thing
you stare at it
searching
but finding nothing
and your first impulse is to
destroy
you take a drink
already
and then another
and still nothing
you pace the floor
and curse yourself
and finally crawl back
to the madness
of the
machine
and begin typing
again
and hope that something
will
come
out
and you can breathe again
and sleep with
one
eye
closed.
Interpretation
At first glance, "This Then" appears to be a commentary on the struggles of writing. Bukowski speaks directly to writers, acknowledging the pressure to constantly produce new work and warning of the dangers of not writing. He suggests that even in the absence of inspiration, a writer must force themselves to write, for "out of that nothing might come something." This is a common sentiment among writers who view the act of writing as a discipline that must be practiced regularly, even when it feels difficult or unproductive.
However, Bukowski takes this idea further and suggests that the alternative to not writing is not only an unproductive state, but a dangerous one. The "nothing" that comes from not writing is a void that can easily consume a writer's creativity and motivation. In this sense, "This Then" is about more than just the practice of writing. It's about the human need to create, to express oneself, and to avoid the despair of a life without purpose.
Bukowski's description of the blank screen as a "horrible thing" speaks to the anxiety that writers often feel when faced with a lack of inspiration. He acknowledges the frustration of searching for words and finding nothing, and the impulse to destroy in response. This is a common experience for many writers, regardless of their level of experience or talent. Bukowski's honesty and vulnerability in admitting to these feelings is a refreshing departure from the image of the stoic, unflappable writer we often see in literature.
The image of drinking as a coping mechanism is also present in "This Then." Bukowski was famously fond of alcohol, and his poems often reflect this. Here, he portrays a writer who turns to drink in response to frustration with the writing process. The repetition of the word "another" emphasizes the desperation of the situation and the need for escape. However, Bukowski is not glorifying or romanticizing this behavior. Rather, he is showing the reader the gritty reality of being a writer, with all its highs and lows.
The final lines of the poem suggest that even when a writer does manage to produce something, the relief is only temporary. The phrase "hope that something will come out" implies that there is no guarantee of success, and that even when it does come, it may not be enough. The image of sleeping with "one eye closed" speaks to the constant vigilance required of writers, who never know when inspiration may strike or when the blank screen may once again loom in front of them.
Conclusion
In "This Then," Bukowski offers a bleak but honest portrayal of the struggles of writing. His words are a reminder that even the most talented writers face obstacles and that the act of writing is often a messy, chaotic, and deeply personal one. Through his frankness and vulnerability, Bukowski encourages writers to keep going, to keep creating, and to keep searching for meaning in a world that can often seem meaningless.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Then: A Poem of Life's Struggles and Triumphs
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 side of human nature, including poverty, addiction, and loneliness. In his poem "This Then," Bukowski reflects on the struggles and triumphs of life, and the fleeting nature of time.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line: "this then is the message." The word "this" suggests that Bukowski is about to reveal something important, something that he has learned through his own experiences. The word "then" implies that this message is the result of a long process of reflection and contemplation.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the message: "we are surrounded by a world that has forgotten us." This line suggests that Bukowski feels disconnected from the world around him, and that he believes others feel the same way. The word "surrounded" implies that this feeling of isolation is all-encompassing, and that it is difficult to escape.
However, Bukowski does not dwell on this feeling of isolation for long. Instead, he quickly shifts his focus to the idea of perseverance: "but we must not forget ourselves." This line suggests that even though the world may have forgotten us, we must not forget ourselves. We must remember who we are, and we must continue to fight for what we believe in.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the struggles that we must face in order to achieve our goals: "we have to fight for our lives against the tides and against the winds." The word "fight" suggests that achieving our goals is not easy, and that we must be willing to work hard and overcome obstacles. The words "tides" and "winds" suggest that these obstacles are not just external, but also internal. We must fight against our own doubts and fears in order to succeed.
Despite these struggles, Bukowski remains optimistic: "but we must fight with all our might and with all our courage." The words "all our might" and "all our courage" suggest that we must give everything we have in order to succeed. Bukowski believes that we are capable of achieving great things, but only if we are willing to work hard and persevere.
Bukowski then shifts his focus to the idea of time: "for time is short and the road is long and the way is hard." The words "time is short" suggest that we must make the most of the time we have, and that we must not waste it on things that do not matter. The words "the road is long" and "the way is hard" suggest that achieving our goals is a journey, and that it will not be easy. We must be patient and persistent in order to succeed.
Finally, Bukowski ends the poem with a powerful message of hope: "but we shall overcome and we shall survive and we shall see the light." The words "we shall overcome" suggest that we are capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how difficult. The words "we shall survive" suggest that we are strong enough to endure even the toughest challenges. The words "we shall see the light" suggest that there is a brighter future ahead, and that we will eventually achieve our goals if we keep fighting.
In conclusion, "This Then" is a powerful poem that explores the struggles and triumphs of life, and the fleeting nature of time. Bukowski's message is one of perseverance and hope, and he encourages us to fight for what we believe in, even when the world seems to have forgotten us. Through his raw and unapologetic style, Bukowski reminds us that life is not easy, but that we are capable of achieving great things if we are willing to work hard and persevere.
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