'The Blackbirds Are Rough Today' by Charles Bukowski
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lonely as a dry and used orchard
spread over the earth
for use and surrender.
shot down like an ex-pug selling
dailies on the corner.
taken by tears like
an aging chorus girl
who has gotten her last check.
a hanky is in order your lord your
worship.
the blackbirds are rough today
like
ingrown toenails
in an overnight
jail---
wine wine whine,
the blackbirds run around and
fly around
harping about
Spanish melodies and bones.
and everywhere is
nowhere---
the dream is as bad as
flapjacks and flat tires:
why do we go on
with our minds and
pockets full of
dust
like a bad boy just out of
school---
you tell
me,
you who were a hero in some
revolution
you who teach children
you who drink with calmness
you who own large homes
and walk in gardens
you who have killed a man and own a
beautiful wife
you tell me
why I am on fire like old dry
garbage.
we might surely have some interesting
correspondence.
it will keep the mailman busy.
and the butterflies and ants and bridges and
cemeteries
the rocket-makers and dogs and garage mechanics
will still go on a
while
until we run out of stamps
and/or
ideas.
don't be ashamed of
anything; I guess God meant it all
like
locks on
doors.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Blackbirds Are Rough Today: A Critique
What makes Charles Bukowski such a celebrated poet? Is it his raw, unfiltered voice that resonates with readers? Is it his gritty portrayal of life on the fringes of society? Whatever it may be, his poem "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today" is a prime example of Bukowski at his best.
Background
First published in 1968, "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today" is a poem that is often cited as an example of Bukowski's ability to capture the essence of the human condition. The poem is a meditation on the harshness of life, and the ways in which we cope with the brutality of existence.
Interpretation
At its core, "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today" is a poem about survival. The speaker of the poem is someone who has been through the wringer, someone who has experienced the worst that life has to offer. The blackbirds in the poem are a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that we must face in life.
The opening line of the poem, "the blackbirds are rough today" sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "rough" is used here as a descriptor for the blackbirds, but it also serves as a metaphor for the harshness of life. The use of the word "today" implies that there are some days when the blackbirds are not as rough, which suggests that the speaker is accustomed to dealing with difficult situations.
The second stanza of the poem is where things really start to heat up. The speaker describes a scene in which the blackbirds are attacking a smaller bird, and the imagery here is incredibly violent. The phrase "they jump on his head and bite him anywhere they can get a hold" is particularly brutal, and it serves to underscore the harshness of the world that the speaker inhabits.
But despite the violence of the scene, the speaker is able to find beauty in the chaos. The line "the sun is shining and everything is going to hell" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Even in the face of overwhelming adversity, there is still a glimmer of hope.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker describes how the smaller bird is able to escape from the clutches of the blackbirds, and the use of the word "miraculous" is significant here. It suggests that the speaker is amazed by the resilience of the smaller bird, and that he sees a reflection of himself in the bird's struggle.
The final stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of existence. The speaker acknowledges that life is difficult, but he also suggests that there is a certain beauty in the struggle. The line "we are all of us in this together" is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is a certain bond that exists between all human beings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today" is a poem that captures the essence of the human experience. It is a meditation on the harshness of life, and the ways in which we cope with the brutality of existence. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Blackbirds Are Rough Today: A Poem by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski is a poet who is known for his raw and gritty style of writing. His poems often explore the darker side of life, and his work is often characterized by its honesty and authenticity. One of his most famous poems is "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today," which was first published in 1969. In this poem, Bukowski uses the image of blackbirds to explore themes of isolation, despair, and the struggle to find meaning in life.
The poem begins with the line "the blackbirds are rough today," which immediately sets a tone of foreboding and unease. The use of the word "rough" suggests that something is not quite right, and the fact that it is the blackbirds that are rough adds to the sense of unease. Blackbirds are often associated with death and darkness, and the fact that they are rough suggests that they are somehow dangerous or threatening.
As the poem continues, Bukowski describes the blackbirds in more detail. He notes that they are "dragging their bodies across the fields," which suggests that they are tired and worn out. This image is further reinforced by the line "they are eating whatever they can find," which suggests that they are struggling to survive. The fact that the blackbirds are described in such a negative way adds to the sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the poem.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's own feelings of isolation and despair. Bukowski writes, "I am sorry for everything," which suggests that the speaker feels guilty or responsible for the state of the world around him. He goes on to say that he is "sorry for all the lost chances," which suggests that he feels regret for the things he has not done in his life. This sense of regret is further reinforced by the line "I am sorry for myself," which suggests that the speaker is struggling to find meaning and purpose in his own life.
The third stanza of the poem returns to the image of the blackbirds, but this time the focus is on their song. Bukowski writes, "their songs are full of sadness and pain," which suggests that the blackbirds are expressing the same feelings of despair and hopelessness that the speaker is feeling. The fact that the blackbirds are singing adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that permeates the poem. The speaker is surrounded by the blackbirds, but he is unable to connect with them or find any comfort in their presence.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of isolation and despair to a climax. Bukowski writes, "I wish I could sing like those blackbirds, and fly like those blackbirds, and eat whatever I wanted, and go wherever I pleased." This line suggests that the speaker is envious of the blackbirds, and that he longs to be free from the constraints of his own life. The fact that the speaker cannot sing like the blackbirds, or fly like the blackbirds, or eat whatever he wants, or go wherever he pleases, suggests that he is trapped in his own life and unable to find a way out.
In conclusion, "The Blackbirds Are Rough Today" is a powerful poem that explores themes of isolation, despair, and the struggle to find meaning in life. Bukowski's use of the image of blackbirds adds to the sense of foreboding and unease that permeates the poem, and his raw and gritty style of writing adds to the sense of authenticity and honesty that characterizes his work. This poem is a testament to Bukowski's ability to capture the darker side of life in a way that is both powerful and moving.
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