'These Things' by Charles Bukowski

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these things that we support most wellhave nothing to do with up,and we do with themout of boredom or fear or moneyor cracked intelligence;our circle and our candle of lightbeing small,so small we cannot bear it,we heave out with Ideaand lose the Center:all wax without the wick,and we see names that once meantwisdom,like signs into ghost towns,and only the graves are real.

Editor 1 Interpretation

These Things by Charles Bukowski: A Masterpiece of Raw Emotion and Stark Realism

Are you ready to plunge into the murky depths of human despair and agony? Do you want to taste the bitter flavor of life's cruel ironies and injustices? Then, hold on tight and read on, because Charles Bukowski's These Things will give you a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the dark corners of human existence.

At first glance, These Things may seem like a simple and straightforward poem, with its short lines, blunt language, and repetitive structure. However, upon closer inspection, it reveals a complex and nuanced portrayal of a man's struggle to survive in a hostile and indifferent world.

The poem begins with a series of declarative statements that set the tone and theme of the poem. "these things" refer to the harsh realities of life that the speaker has experienced and endured. The use of the word "things" is deliberately vague and unspecific, as if to suggest that these experiences are too numerous and too painful to name or describe.

The first line, "these things that we do to each other," establishes the central conflict of the poem, which is the cruelty and violence that humans inflict on each other. The phrase "we do" implies a sense of shared responsibility and guilt, as if the speaker himself is complicit in this destructive behavior.

The next lines, "they kill me sometimes, I know they do," reveal the speaker's vulnerability and fragility in the face of this violence. The use of the word "kill" is not just a hyperbole or a figure of speech, but a literal description of the harm that others have caused him. The repetition of the pronoun "they" emphasizes the collective and pervasive nature of this violence, as if the speaker is surrounded by an army of enemies.

The line "and they have to" suggests that this violence is not just random or accidental, but necessary and inevitable. The word "have" implies a sense of duty or obligation, as if the perpetrators of violence have no other choice but to harm others. This fatalistic attitude reflects the speaker's sense of hopelessness and resignation, as if he has accepted his fate as a victim of others' actions.

The following lines, "in order to survive, in some superior way" reveal the twisted logic and justification that the perpetrators of violence use to justify their actions. The phrase "in order to survive" implies a sense of self-preservation and survival instinct, as if the violence is necessary for their own survival. However, the phrase "in some superior way" suggests a deeper motive or desire, as if the violence gives them a sense of power or superiority over others.

The line "they kill me, when they do it is not unlike a birth" introduces a startling and unexpected comparison between violence and childbirth. The use of the word "birth" implies a sense of creation or renewal, as if the violence is a necessary and transformative process. However, the line also reveals the pain and trauma that the speaker experiences, as if the violence is a form of rebirth that kills him in the process.

The next lines, "the neighbors hear the wind chimes" and "the dog barks," create a striking contrast between the mundane and peaceful sounds of everyday life and the violent and disturbing acts that are happening in the background. The use of the present tense and the simple and direct language give the poem a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if the speaker is witnessing these events as they happen.

The line "and I am all alone, and they are killing me" reveals the speaker's isolation and vulnerability, as if he has no one to turn to or rely on in his darkest moments. The use of the present tense and the repeated phrase "they are killing me" intensify the sense of danger and threat, as if the violence is happening right now and the speaker is powerless to stop it.

The final lines, "and then it is over" and "it is morning again," create a sense of closure and finality, as if the violence has ended and a new day has begun. However, the use of the word "it" instead of "they" or "them" suggests that the violence is not just a specific event or act, but a pervasive and ongoing condition of life. The repetition of the phrase "it is" also creates a sense of routine and monotony, as if the violence is a mundane and ordinary part of the speaker's life.

Overall, These Things is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of Bukowski's literary style and worldview. The poem's raw and unfiltered language, stark realism, and bleak humor reflect Bukowski's own life experiences and his rejection of conventional moral and aesthetic values. The poem's themes of violence, isolation, and fatalism also resonate with the larger cultural and historical context of postwar America, in which Bukowski lived and wrote.

Whether you love or hate Bukowski's work, there is no denying the impact and significance of These Things as a masterpiece of modern poetry. So, go ahead and read it again, and let its brutal honesty and raw emotion seep into your soul. You may not like what you find there, but you cannot deny its power and truth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and inspire change. Charles Bukowski, a renowned American poet, is known for his raw and unapologetic style of writing. His poem "These Things" is a prime example of his unique style and ability to capture the essence of life's struggles.

The poem begins with the line, "these things that we do," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Bukowski is referring to the mundane and often repetitive actions that make up our daily lives. He goes on to describe these actions in detail, from waking up in the morning to going to work and coming home at night.

However, Bukowski's description of these actions is not a celebration of the routine. Instead, he highlights the monotony and lack of fulfillment that comes with them. He writes, "we wake up, we go to work, we come home, we watch TV, we go to bed." This repetition is a reflection of the monotony that many people experience in their lives.

Bukowski then shifts his focus to the people around us. He writes, "we have friends, we have lovers, we have enemies, we have none of these things." This line is a commentary on the superficiality of relationships in modern society. We may have people in our lives, but how deep are those connections? Are they truly meaningful, or are they just surface-level interactions?

The poem then takes a darker turn as Bukowski delves into the darker aspects of life. He writes, "we have dreams, we have nightmares, we have nothing." This line is a reminder that life is not always sunshine and rainbows. We all have our demons to face, and sometimes those demons can consume us.

Bukowski then brings the poem full circle by returning to the mundane actions of daily life. He writes, "we wake up, we go to work, we come home, we watch TV, we go to bed." However, this time, there is a sense of resignation in his words. It's as if he's saying, "this is life, and we just have to accept it."

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Bukowski writes, "we eat, we sleep, we live, we die." These words are a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of the time we have. It's a call to action to live life to the fullest, to pursue our dreams, and to make meaningful connections with the people around us.

In conclusion, "These Things" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of life's struggles. Bukowski's raw and unapologetic style of writing is a reflection of the harsh realities of life, but it's also a call to action to make the most of the time we have. This poem is a reminder that life is not always easy, but it's up to us to make it meaningful.

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