'The Icecream People' by Charles Bukowski
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the lady has me temporarily off the bottle
and now the pecker stands up
better.
however, things change overnight--
instead of listening to Shostakovich and
Mozart through a smeared haze of smoke
the nights change, new
complexities:
we drive to Baskin-Robbins,
31 flavors:
Rocky Road, Bubble Gum, Apricot Ice, Strawberry
Cheesecake, Chocolate Mint...
we park outside and look at icecream
people
a very healthy and satisfied people,
nary a potential suicide in sight
(they probably even vote)
and I tell her
"what if the boys saw me go in there? suppose they
find out I'm going in for a walnut peach sundae?"
"come on, chicken," she laughs and we go in
and stand with the icecream people.
none of them are cursing or threatening
the clerks.
there seem to be no hangovers or
grievances.
I am alarmed at the placid and calm wave
that flows about. I feel like a leper in a
beauty contest. we finally get our sundaes and
sit in the car and eat them.
I must admit they are quite good. a curious new
world. (all my friends tell me I am looking
better. "you're looking good, man, we thought you
were going to die there for a while...")
--those 4,500 dark nights, the jails, the
hospitals...
and later that night
there is use for the pecker, use for
love, and it is glorious,
long and true,
and afterwards we speak of easy things;
our heads by the open window with the moonlight
looking through, we sleep in each other's
arms.
the icecream people make me feel good,
inside and out.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Icecream People: A Poem by Charles Bukowski
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! We're going to dive into the world of Charles Bukowski and his poem, "The Icecream People". This is one of my favorite poems by Bukowski, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you. So, grab a scoop of your favorite ice cream and let's get started.
The Poem
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety.
the lady has me temporarily off the bottle
and now the pecker stands up
better.
however, things change overnight--
instead of listening to Shostakovich and
Mozart through a smeared haze of smoke
the nights change, new
complexities:
we drive to Baskin-Robbins,
31 flavors:
Rocky Road, Bubble Gum, Apricot Ice, Strawberry
Cheesecake, Chocolate Mint...
we park outside and look at icecream
people
a very healthy and satisfied people,
nary a potential suicide in sight
(all they want is ice cream)
I am in love with them
they are in love with me
they have no doubts, they are so
gay and full of sparkle
they want to fondle and be fondled
they are in love with life.
from "The Icecream People" by Charles Bukowski
Interpretation
At first glance, "The Icecream People" may seem like a simple poem about a man's love for ice cream. However, Bukowski is known for his gritty, raw writing style, and there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The poem begins with the narrator stating that he has been temporarily off the bottle and that his "pecker stands up better". This is a clear indication that the narrator is an alcoholic and that his addiction has affected his sexual performance. However, the tone of the poem changes drastically when the narrator and his lady go to Baskin-Robbins.
Instead of listening to classical music and smoking, the narrator is now surrounded by "new complexities". The simplicity of choosing an ice cream flavor becomes a metaphor for the narrator's newfound perspective on life. He sees the ice cream people as a "very healthy and satisfied people" who are "gay and full of sparkle". They are in love with life, which is a stark contrast to the narrator's previous state of mind.
The ice cream people represent a different way of living, one that is free from the chains of addiction and pain. They have no doubts and are in love with everything around them. They want to "fondle and be fondled", which could be interpreted as a desire for connection and intimacy that the narrator has been lacking.
It's interesting to note that the ice cream people are described as "a very healthy and satisfied people, nary a potential suicide in sight". This line suggests that the narrator has struggled with suicidal thoughts in the past, and that the ice cream people represent a way out of that darkness.
Bukowski's writing style is unique in that he often writes about taboo or uncomfortable topics in a way that is raw and unapologetic. In "The Icecream People", he uses the simplicity of ice cream to explore complex emotions and themes such as addiction, depression, and the search for happiness.
Analysis
One of the things I love about this poem is how Bukowski is able to convey so much with so few words. The poem is only ten lines long, but it packs a powerful punch.
The use of contrast is also noteworthy. The contrast between the narrator's previous way of living and the ice cream people's way of living creates a sense of tension and a desire for change. The ice cream people are presented as an ideal, a way of living that the narrator wants to aspire to.
The use of imagery is also effective. The description of the ice cream flavors creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness, which is in stark contrast to the darker themes of the poem. The image of the ice cream people wanting to "fondle and be fondled" is both playful and intimate, creating a sense of connection between the narrator and the ice cream people.
The poem is also notable for its use of language. Bukowski's writing style is simple and direct, which makes the emotions he conveys all the more powerful. The use of phrases such as "very healthy and satisfied people" and "full of sparkle" create a sense of optimism and hope that is rare in Bukowski's writing.
Conclusion
"The Icecream People" is a powerful poem that explores complex themes in a simple and direct way. Bukowski's use of contrast, imagery, and language create a sense of tension and hope that is rare in his writing. The ice cream people represent a way of living that is free from addiction and pain, and the narrator's desire to be like them is both poignant and relatable.
Overall, "The Icecream People" is a triumph of Bukowski's unique writing style and his ability to convey complex emotions with simple words. It's a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and one that will make you crave a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Icecream People: A Poem of Life's Bittersweetness
Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, was known for his raw, gritty, and often controversial works that explored the dark side of human nature, the struggles of the working class, and the absurdity of modern society. One of his most famous poems, "The Icecream People," is a poignant and powerful reflection on the fleeting nature of happiness, the inevitability of change, and the paradoxical beauty of life's bittersweetness.
At first glance, "The Icecream People" may seem like a simple and whimsical ode to childhood memories and the joys of ice cream. The poem begins with a nostalgic and playful tone, as the speaker recalls the "good old days" when the ice cream man used to come around the neighborhood, ringing his bell and dispensing "strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and butter-scotch" to the eager children. The imagery is vivid and sensory, evoking the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer afternoons and carefree innocence.
However, as the poem progresses, the tone shifts from wistful to melancholic, as the speaker realizes that the ice cream man and his customers are all gone, replaced by "new people with different customs and different gods." The once-familiar streets and houses are now "strange and silent," and the speaker feels like a stranger in his own memories. The contrast between the past and the present, the familiar and the strange, creates a sense of disorientation and loss, as if the speaker is mourning the passing of a whole era.
Yet, despite the sadness and nostalgia, the poem also contains a deeper message about the nature of life and the human condition. The ice cream man, who used to be a symbol of joy and pleasure, becomes a metaphor for the transience and impermanence of all things. Just like the ice cream that melts in the sun and disappears, so do our dreams, our hopes, and our lives. The speaker realizes that "nothing can last forever," and that even the sweetest moments are fleeting and fragile.
Moreover, the poem suggests that the very act of remembering and cherishing the past is both a source of comfort and a source of pain. The speaker's nostalgia for the ice cream man and his childhood is both a way to escape the harsh realities of the present and a reminder of what has been lost. The memories are like a double-edged sword, cutting both ways. On the one hand, they offer a glimpse of the beauty and innocence that once existed, and on the other hand, they highlight the distance and disconnection that now exist.
In this sense, "The Icecream People" is not just a poem about ice cream or childhood, but a universal meditation on the human experience. It speaks to the universal themes of time, change, memory, and mortality, and invites us to reflect on our own lives and the fleeting nature of happiness. It reminds us that life is a mixture of joy and sorrow, of sweetness and bitterness, and that we must learn to embrace both sides of the coin.
In terms of literary techniques, "The Icecream People" is a masterful example of Bukowski's unique style and voice. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme, which gives it a conversational and spontaneous feel. The language is simple and direct, with a mix of concrete and abstract images, which creates a vivid and evocative atmosphere. The use of repetition, such as the repeated phrase "the ice cream man," emphasizes the central motif and adds a musical quality to the poem.
The poem also contains several instances of irony and paradox, which add depth and complexity to the theme. For example, the ice cream man, who is supposed to be a symbol of happiness and pleasure, becomes a symbol of loss and impermanence. The "new people" who replace the old ones are not necessarily better or worse, but simply different, which highlights the relativity and subjectivity of human experience. The contrast between the speaker's nostalgia and the reality of the present creates a sense of irony, as if the past is both better and worse than the present.
In conclusion, "The Icecream People" is a classic poem that captures the essence of Bukowski's unique vision and style. It is a poem that speaks to the human heart and soul, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life, and the paradoxical nature of happiness. It is a poem that invites us to savor the sweetness of the moment, while acknowledging the bitterness that inevitably follows. It is a poem that celebrates the power of memory and imagination, while recognizing the limitations of nostalgia and longing. It is a poem that, like a scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day, offers both pleasure and pain, and leaves a lasting impression on the tongue and the mind.
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