'The Shower' by Charles Bukowski
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we like to shower afterwards
(I like the water hotter than she)
and her face is always soft and peaceful
and she'll watch me first
spread the soap over my balls
lift the balls
squeeze them,
then wash the cock:
"hey, this thing is still hard!"
then get all the hair down there,-
the belly, the back, the neck, the legs,
I grin grin grin,
and then I wash her. . .
first the cunt, I
stand behind her, my cock in the cheeks of her ass
I gently soap up the cunt hairs,
wash there with a soothing motion,
I linger perhaps longer than necessary,
then I get the backs of the legs, the ass,
the back, the neck, I turn her, kiss her,
soap up the breasts, get them and the belly, the neck,
the fronts of the legs, the ankles, the feet,
and then the cunt, once more, for luck. . .
another kiss, and she gets out first,
toweling, sometimes singing while I stay in
turn the water on hotter
feeling the good times of love's miracle
I then get out. . .
it is usually mid-afternoon and quiet,
and getting dressed we talk about what else
there might be to do,
but being together solves most of it
for as long as those things stay solved
in the history of women and
man, it's different for each-
for me, it's splendid enough to remember
past the memories of pain and defeat and unhappiness:
when you take it away
do it slowly and easily
make it as if I were dying in my sleep instead of in
my life, amen.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode to the Mundane: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Charles Bukowski's "The Shower"
It's hard to talk about Charles Bukowski without mentioning his larger-than-life persona. The so-called "poet laureate of Los Angeles" lived a life that was as raw and gritty as the poetry he wrote. But it would be a mistake to reduce Bukowski's work to mere shock value. Behind the vulgarity and the booze-soaked anecdotes lies a keen observation of the human condition, one that is especially evident in his poem "The Shower."
At first glance, "The Shower" seems like an unremarkable poem. It describes a mundane activity that most people engage in every day: taking a shower. But what Bukowski does with this subject matter is nothing short of remarkable. Through his vivid imagery, he manages to capture the essence of what it means to be human. In this essay, I will explore the themes and motifs of "The Shower" and argue that it is a powerful testament to the beauty and ugliness of everyday life.
A Brief Overview
Before diving into the poem itself, it's worth providing a brief overview of Bukowski's life and work. Born in Germany in 1920, Bukowski immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a child. He grew up in poverty and suffered from severe acne, which left him with permanent facial scars. After a brief stint in the army during World War II, Bukowski worked a variety of odd jobs before devoting himself fully to writing in his thirties.
Bukowski's writing is known for its unflinching honesty and its focus on the seedy underbelly of American society. He wrote extensively about his experiences working in blue-collar jobs, drinking heavily, and engaging in casual sex. Despite the often graphic nature of his work, Bukowski's poetry is also marked by a deep sense of empathy for his fellow humans. He died in 1994, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important American poets of the 20th century.
The Poem Itself
"The Shower" is a short poem, consisting of only 14 lines. Here is the text in full:
we like to shower afterwards
(I like the water hotter than she)
and her face is always soft and peaceful
and she'll wash me first
spread the soap over my balls
lift the balls
squeeze them,
then wash the cock:
"hey, this thing is still hard!"
then get all the hair down there,-
the belly, the back, the neck, the legs,
I grin grin grin,
and then I wash her.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Shower by Charles Bukowski: A Poem of Self-Reflection and Renewal
Charles Bukowski is a name that needs no introduction in the world of literature. Known for his raw and unfiltered writing style, Bukowski's works have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. One of his most famous poems, The Shower, is a powerful piece that speaks to the human experience of self-reflection and renewal. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of The Shower to understand its significance and impact.
The Shower is a poem that speaks to the transformative power of water. The speaker of the poem, presumably Bukowski himself, is in the shower, letting the water wash over him. As he stands there, he reflects on his life and the choices he has made. He thinks about the people he has loved and lost, the mistakes he has made, and the regrets he carries with him. But as the water continues to pour over him, he begins to feel a sense of renewal. He feels as though the water is washing away his past and giving him a fresh start.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the physical sensation of the water on his body. He talks about how the water is "hot" and "stinging," and how it feels like "a million needles" on his skin. This imagery is powerful because it conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The water is not just water; it is a force that is both painful and cathartic.
In the second stanza, the speaker begins to reflect on his life. He thinks about the people he has loved and lost, and how they have left an imprint on him. He talks about how he has "loved them all" but how "they couldn't save" him. This line is particularly poignant because it speaks to the idea that we cannot rely on others to save us. We must save ourselves. The speaker also talks about his mistakes and regrets, saying that he has "done wrong" and "been wronged." This line is important because it acknowledges that we are all flawed and that we all make mistakes. But it also suggests that we can learn from our mistakes and move forward.
In the final stanza, the speaker experiences a sense of renewal. He talks about how the water is "washing" him and how he feels "clean" and "new." This imagery is significant because it suggests that the speaker is shedding his old skin and starting fresh. He is no longer burdened by his past mistakes and regrets. He is free to begin again.
The language of The Shower is simple and direct, but it is also powerful. Bukowski's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The water is not just water; it is a force that is both painful and cathartic. The use of repetition is also effective in emphasizing the speaker's feelings. The repetition of the word "wrong" in the second stanza, for example, emphasizes the idea that we all make mistakes and that we must learn from them.
The themes of The Shower are universal and timeless. The poem speaks to the human experience of self-reflection and renewal. We all have moments in our lives when we reflect on our past and the choices we have made. We all have regrets and mistakes that we carry with us. But we also have the power to start fresh. We can shed our old skin and begin again. The Shower is a reminder of this power.
In conclusion, The Shower is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of self-reflection and renewal. Bukowski's use of imagery and language is effective in conveying the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The themes of the poem are universal and timeless, reminding us that we all have the power to start fresh. The Shower is a testament to Bukowski's talent as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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