'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 listeningfor footsteps.I hope that death contains
less than this.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, This Then: An In-Depth Analysis
Charles Bukowski's Poetry, This Then is a collection of poems that explores themes of love, loneliness, and the human condition. The collection was first published in 1978 and is considered a classic of modern poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and motifs in the collection and analyze Bukowski's unique style of writing.
Form and Style
One of the most striking features of Poetry, This Then is Bukowski's unconventional style of writing. Bukowski was known for his blunt and raw approach to poetry, and that is evident in this collection as well. The poems are free-verse, and Bukowski often uses colloquial language and profanity to convey his message.
Bukowski's writing style is a reflection of his life experiences. He lived a rough life, working odd jobs and drinking heavily. His poetry reflects this lifestyle, and he often writes about the seedy underbelly of society. He does not sugarcoat his experiences or the experiences of those around him. Instead, he presents them in their raw, unfiltered form.
The poems in Poetry, This Then are short and to the point. Bukowski does not waste words, and his poems are often only a few lines long. However, despite their brevity, the poems are powerful and impactful. Bukowski has a way of getting straight to the heart of the matter, and his poems often leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Themes and Motifs
One of the main themes in Poetry, This Then is love. Bukowski writes about love in all its forms – romantic love, platonic love, and even self-love. However, his portrayal of love is not idealized or romanticized. Instead, he presents love in all its messy, complicated glory. In the poem "Love is a Dog from Hell," Bukowski writes:
"I have fallen in love with a beautiful woman who has a voice like whisky and cigarettes."
This line perfectly captures Bukowski's view of love – it's not perfect, but it's worth it. He recognizes that love can be painful and difficult, but he also acknowledges that it's an essential part of the human experience.
Another recurring motif in the collection is loneliness. Bukowski was a notoriously solitary figure, and this theme is reflected in his writing. He often writes about feeling alone in a crowded room or being the outsider looking in. In the poem "The Shower," Bukowski writes:
"lonely as a bathtub/embracing itself"
This line perfectly encapsulates the feeling of loneliness – even in the most intimate of settings, one can still feel alone.
Bukowski also writes about the human condition and the struggles that come with it. He writes about poverty, addiction, and the struggles of the working class. In the poem "The Genius of the Crowd," Bukowski writes:
"there is enough treachery, hatred, violence, absurdity in the average human being to supply any given army on any given day"
This line highlights the darker side of humanity – the side that is often ignored or brushed aside. Bukowski is not afraid to confront these difficult truths, and his poetry is all the more powerful for it.
Interpretation
Poetry, This Then is a collection of poems that is both bleak and beautiful. Bukowski's writing is raw and unfiltered, and he does not shy away from the darker aspects of the human experience. However, his writing is also infused with a sense of hope and resilience. Despite the struggles that he writes about, Bukowski recognizes the beauty in life and the importance of love and human connection.
One of the most striking aspects of Bukowski's poetry is his ability to capture the essence of a feeling or experience in just a few words. His writing is concise but powerful, and he has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. His poems are a reminder that sometimes less is more, and that the true power of poetry lies in its ability to evoke emotion.
Another interpretation of Bukowski's poetry is that it serves as a commentary on society. Bukowski was a product of his environment, and his poetry reflects the struggles of the working-class. He writes about poverty, addiction, and the harsh realities of life. However, he also acknowledges the beauty in the everyday – the small moments of joy that make life worth living.
Conclusion
Charles Bukowski's Poetry, This Then is a collection of poems that is both beautiful and bleak. Bukowski's unique writing style and unconventional approach to poetry make this collection a classic of modern literature. His exploration of love, loneliness, and the human condition is powerful and impactful, and his ability to capture the essence of a feeling or experience in just a few words is truly remarkable. Ultimately, Poetry, This Then is a celebration of the human experience – the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry This Then: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the renowned American poet and novelist, is known for his raw and unfiltered writing style that captures the essence of the human experience. His poem, "Poetry This Then," is a prime example of his unique style and ability to convey complex emotions with simple language.
The poem begins with the line, "there is no other way than this way," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Bukowski is telling us that there is only one way to write poetry, and that is to be true to ourselves and our experiences. He is rejecting the idea that there is a "right" way to write poetry, and instead encourages us to embrace our own unique voices.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the process of writing poetry, saying that it is "like a woman pouring her coffee." This metaphor is both sensual and intimate, suggesting that writing poetry is a deeply personal and emotional experience. He also compares poetry to "a dog barking at night," which is a more chaotic and unpredictable image. This contrast between the calmness of the coffee pouring and the chaos of the barking dog highlights the range of emotions that can be expressed through poetry.
The next stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous, and reads:
"if it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it. unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it."
This is Bukowski's way of saying that if you don't feel a burning passion for poetry, then don't bother trying to write it. He is urging us to only write poetry if it is something that we truly feel compelled to do. This is a powerful message, as it encourages us to be true to ourselves and our passions, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.
Bukowski then goes on to describe the importance of honesty in poetry, saying that "if you have to sit for hours staring at your computer screen or hunched over your notebook, searching for the right words, then it's not worth it." He is saying that poetry should come naturally, and that if we have to force it, then it is not true poetry. This is another example of Bukowski's rejection of the idea that there is a "right" way to write poetry, and his encouragement to embrace our own unique voices.
The final stanza of the poem reads:
"when it is truly time, and if you have been chosen, it will do it by itself and it will keep on doing it until you die or it dies in you."
This is Bukowski's way of saying that if we are meant to write poetry, then it will come naturally and persistently throughout our lives. He is suggesting that poetry is not just a hobby or a passing interest, but rather a calling that we are born with. This is a powerful message, as it encourages us to embrace our passions and pursue them with dedication and commitment.
Overall, "Poetry This Then" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Bukowski's raw and unfiltered writing style captures the essence of the human experience, and his message of embracing our own unique voices is both powerful and inspiring. This poem is a must-read for anyone who is interested in poetry or the creative process, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.
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