'Hot' by Charles Bukowski
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she was hot, she was so hot
I didn't want anybody else to have her,
and if I didn't get home on time
she'd be gone, and I couldn't bear that-
I'd go mad. . .
it was foolish I know, childish,
but I was caught in it, I was caught.
I delivered all the mail
and then Henderson put me on the night pickup run
in an old army truck,
the damn thing began to heat halfway through the run
and the night went on
me thinking about my hot Miriam
and jumping in and out of the truck
filling mailsacks
the engine continuing to heat up
the temperature needle was at the top
HOT HOT
like Miriam.
leaped in and out
3 more pickups and into the station
I'd be, my car
waiting to get me to Miriam who sat on my blue couch
with scotch on the rocks
crossing her legs and swinging her ankles
like she did,
2 more stops. . .
the truck stalled at a traffic light, it was hell
kicking it over
again. . .
I had to be home by 8,8 was the deadline for Miriam.
I made the last pickup and the truck stalled at a signal
1/2 block from the station. . .
it wouldn't start, it couldn't start. . .
I locked the doors, pulled the key and ran down to the
station. . .
I threw the keys down. . .signed out. . .
your goddamned truck is stalled at the signal,
I shouted,
Pico and Western. . .
. . .I ran down the hall,put the key into the door,
opened it. . .her drinking glass was there, and a note:
sun of a bitch:
I waited until 5 after ate
you don't love me
you sun of a bitch
somebody will love me
I been wateing all day
Miriam
I poured a drink and let the water run into the tub
there were 5,000 bars in town
and I'd make 25 of them
looking for Miriam
her purple teddy bear held the note
as he leaned against a pillow
I gave the bear a drink, myself a drink
and got into the hot
water.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Heat of Bukowski's "Hot"
There's something about Charles Bukowski's poetry that's unmistakable. His blunt, raw, and unapologetic style has earned him a dedicated following of readers who appreciate his honesty and grit. And "Hot," one of his most famous poems, is a prime example of why Bukowski has become such a beloved figure in the literary world.
The Poem
At its core, "Hot" is a poem about desire. The speaker of the poem is consumed by a physical craving for a woman who's "so hot you can't believe your eyes." He describes her in vivid detail: her "legs like popsicles" and her "hair like a waterfall of gold."
But Bukowski doesn't stop at simply describing the woman's physical attributes. He also explores the speaker's psychological state, delving into the intensity of his desire. The speaker is consumed by the woman, and he can't help but think about her constantly. He's so consumed that he imagines her everywhere he goes, even in the mundane moments of his day-to-day life.
The Language
Bukowski's language in "Hot" is what really sets the poem apart. He uses vivid, sometimes shocking imagery to convey the speaker's passion. For example, he describes the woman's "dangling breasts" and talks about wanting to "smear her with honey and lick it off." These lines are graphic and raw, but they also capture the speaker's overwhelming desire.
But Bukowski also uses more subtle language to convey the speaker's feelings. He talks about how the woman's "absence is more than presence," implying that the speaker is consumed by thoughts of her even when she's not physically there. And when he describes the woman's "voice like a bell," he's conveying the idea that she's the center of the speaker's world.
Themes
At its core, "Hot" is a poem about desire and obsession. The speaker is consumed by his passion for the woman, and he can't help but think about her constantly. But the poem also touches on larger themes, such as the nature of lust and the power of physical attraction. The speaker's desire for the woman is all-consuming, and Bukowski captures that intensity in his language.
But there's also a sense of sadness and desperation in the poem. The speaker knows that his desire for the woman is all-consuming, but he can't help himself. He's trapped in his own passion, unable to escape even if he wanted to.
Interpretation
Interpreting "Hot" can be challenging, as the poem is open to a variety of different readings. On the surface, it's a straightforward poem about physical desire. But there's also a sense of desperation and sadness in the poem, which suggests that there's more going on beneath the surface.
One interpretation of the poem is that it's a commentary on the nature of desire itself. The speaker's passion for the woman is so intense that it consumes him completely. He's unable to control himself or resist her, even though he knows that his feelings are ultimately self-destructive.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the power of physical attraction. The speaker is drawn to the woman not just because of her physical beauty, but because of the way she makes him feel. He's consumed by her, and he can't help but think about her constantly. This interpretation suggests that physical attraction can be a dangerous and all-consuming force, even if we don't fully understand why we're drawn to someone.
Conclusion
"Hot" is a powerful poem that captures the intensity of desire and obsession. Bukowski's language is raw and unapologetic, capturing the speaker's passion in vivid detail. But there's also a sense of sadness and desperation in the poem, suggesting that there's something deeper going on beneath the surface.
Interpreting "Hot" can be challenging, as the poem is open to a variety of different readings. But regardless of how you choose to interpret it, there's no denying the power of Bukowski's language and the intensity of the speaker's desire.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Hot, a classic poem by Charles Bukowski, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience. With its vivid imagery and raw emotion, the poem speaks to the struggles and triumphs of life, and the constant search for meaning and purpose.
At its core, Hot is a poem about desire. It explores the intense longing that we all feel at some point in our lives, whether it be for love, success, or simply a sense of belonging. Bukowski captures this feeling perfectly in the opening lines of the poem:
"waking up to nothing after dreaming of you for the hundredth time just makes me want you more"
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Bukowski delves deeper into the complexities of desire and the human psyche. He speaks of the emptiness that comes with unfulfilled longing, and the way that it can consume us if we let it:
"the thought of you is eating me alive and I can't escape it no matter how hard I try"
This sense of desperation is palpable throughout the poem, as Bukowski lays bare his own struggles with desire and the way that it has shaped his life. He speaks of the pain and loneliness that come with unrequited love, and the way that it can leave us feeling lost and adrift:
"the nights are long and lonely and I can't help but wonder if you're thinking of me or if you've forgotten me altogether"
Despite the darkness that permeates the poem, there is also a sense of hope and resilience that shines through. Bukowski speaks of the power of love to heal and transform us, and the way that it can give us the strength to keep going even in the face of adversity:
"but I know that someday we'll be together again and all this pain and longing will be worth it in the end"
This sense of hope is what makes Hot such a powerful and enduring poem. It speaks to the universal human experience of longing and desire, and the way that it can both uplift and destroy us. Bukowski's raw and honest portrayal of these emotions is what makes the poem so relatable and timeless, and why it continues to resonate with readers today.
In terms of literary devices, Bukowski employs a number of techniques to bring the poem to life. One of the most striking is his use of imagery, which is both vivid and evocative. He paints a picture of a world consumed by desire, where every thought and action is driven by the need to be loved and accepted:
"the sun beats down like a hammer on my head and all I can think of is the way your body feels pressed against mine"
This imagery is both sensual and intense, and it helps to convey the overwhelming nature of desire and the way that it can consume us completely.
Another technique that Bukowski uses to great effect is repetition. He repeats certain phrases and lines throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum that drives the narrative forward. This repetition also serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem, such as the power of love and the pain of unfulfilled longing:
"the thought of you is eating me alive and I can't escape it no matter how hard I try"
This repetition helps to create a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of desire that he cannot break free from.
Finally, Bukowski's use of language is both simple and powerful. He eschews flowery language and complex metaphors in favor of a more direct and honest approach. This gives the poem a sense of authenticity and immediacy, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader:
"the nights are long and lonely and I can't help but wonder if you're thinking of me or if you've forgotten me altogether"
This simplicity of language also serves to highlight the raw emotion that underpins the poem, and the way that desire can strip away all pretense and reveal our true selves.
In conclusion, Hot is a classic poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and desire. Through its vivid imagery, raw emotion, and powerful language, Bukowski captures the essence of what it means to be human, and the struggles and triumphs that we all face in our quest for love and meaning. Whether read for the first time or the hundredth, Hot remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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