'The Icecream People' by Charles Bukowski

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the lady has me temporarily off the bottle
and now the pecker stands up
better.
however, things change overnight--
instead of listening to Shostakovich and
Mozart through a smeared haze of smoke
the nights change, new
complexities:
we drive to Baskin-Robbins,
31 flavors:
Rocky Road, Bubble Gum, Apricot Ice, Strawberry
Cheesecake, Chocolate Mint...we park outside and look at icecream
people
a very healthy and satisfied people,
nary a potential suicide in sight
(they probably even vote)
and I tell her
"what if the boys saw me go in there? suppose they
find out I'm going in for a walnut peach sundae?"
"come on, chicken," she laughs and we go in
and stand with the icecream people.
none of them are cursing or threatening
the clerks.
there seem to be no hangovers or
grievances.
I am alarmed at the placid and calm wave
that flows about. I feel like a leper in a
beauty contest. we finally get our sundaes and
sit in the car and eat them.I must admit they are quite good. a curious new
world. (all my friends tell me I am looking
better. "you're looking good, man, we thought you
were going to die there for a while...")
--those 4,500 dark nights, the jails, the
hospitals...and later that night
there is use for the pecker, use for
love, and it is glorious,
long and true,
and afterwards we speak of easy things;
our heads by the open window with the moonlight
looking through, we sleep in each other's
arms.the icecream people make me feel good,
inside and out.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Icecream People by Charles Bukowski: An Indulgent Journey of Self-Discovery

There's something about the way Charles Bukowski writes that makes his poetry feel raw, unfiltered, and undeniably real. His words carry weight, and his poems often feel like a punch in the gut. The Icecream People is no exception.

In this poem, Bukowski takes us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring what it means to live in a world that's constantly changing, where the things we once knew and loved are no longer the same. It's a poem that explores the theme of nostalgia, of longing for a time and a place that no longer exist.

A Snapshot of the Past

Bukowski begins the poem by painting a picture of a simpler time, a time when the world was a little less complicated. He writes:

the lady has me temporarily off the bottle
and now the pecker stands up
better.

Right away, we're transported to a different era, a time when drinking was more acceptable, and when alcohol was seen as a way to cope with the difficulties of life. But despite the fact that the speaker is no longer drinking, he's still able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like sex.

As the poem progresses, Bukowski takes us deeper into the past, exploring memories that the speaker has of his childhood. He writes:

we used to drink & spoon
in bed

Here, we get a sense of the speaker's nostalgia for a time when he was young and carefree, a time when he could indulge in the pleasures of life without consequence. It's a bittersweet moment, as we realize that the world the speaker longs for is no longer attainable.

A World in Flux

As the poem continues, Bukowski begins to explore the idea of change, of how the world is constantly shifting and evolving. He writes:

the icecream people make me feel good,
inside & out.

Here, the ice cream people represent a kind of stability, a constant in a world that's always in flux. But even they are subject to change, as Bukowski notes:

once, on the way home from a 
failed date,
I stopped off at an ice cream 
stand,
purchased a cone and 
opened a Bible and read: 

This moment highlights the fragility of the world we live in, and how even the things we rely on the most can be taken away from us at any moment. It's a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and that we must learn to adapt to the changes that inevitably come our way.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

Ultimately, The Icecream People is a poem about self-discovery, about the speaker coming to terms with who he is and what he wants out of life. Bukowski writes:

and maybe, who knows,
I'll go see the whales.

Here, the speaker is expressing a desire to explore the world around him, to experience new things and to see what else life has to offer. It's a moment of hope, a reminder that even in a world that's constantly changing, there's always the possibility of something new and exciting.

Conclusion

In The Icecream People, Charles Bukowski takes us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring what it means to live in a world that's constantly changing. Through his words, we're transported to a different era, a time when life was simpler and the world was a little less complicated. But even as we long for the past, Bukowski reminds us that we must learn to adapt to the changes that inevitably come our way. It's a powerful message, and one that resonates long after the poem is over.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Icecream People: A Classic Poem by Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his gritty, raw, and unapologetic style. His works often explore the darker side of life, including poverty, alcoholism, and loneliness. One of his most famous poems, "The Icecream People," is a perfect example of his unique style and perspective.

"The Icecream People" was first published in Bukowski's 1972 collection, "Love is a Dog From Hell." The poem is a short, simple, and powerful piece that captures the essence of Bukowski's worldview. It begins with a description of a hot summer day, with the speaker sitting on his porch, watching the world go by. The ice cream truck comes by, and the speaker observes the people rushing out of their houses to buy ice cream.

The poem then takes a dark turn, as the speaker describes the ice cream people as "fat and sweaty" and "dead in the eye." He goes on to say that they are "not good for anything" and that they "know it." The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on his own life, saying that he is "not like them" and that he is "not dead yet."

At first glance, "The Icecream People" may seem like a simple observation of a hot summer day. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deeper meaning. Bukowski is using the ice cream truck and the people who buy ice cream as a metaphor for the emptiness and futility of modern life. The ice cream people are not just overweight and sweaty; they are also spiritually dead, trapped in a cycle of consumerism and conformity.

Bukowski's criticism of modern society is not new or unique. Many writers and thinkers have explored the same themes, from the existentialists to the beat poets. However, Bukowski's approach is different. He does not offer any solutions or alternatives to the problems he sees. Instead, he simply observes and comments on the world around him, with a mixture of cynicism and humor.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Icecream People" is Bukowski's use of language. His style is direct and unadorned, with no unnecessary words or flourishes. He uses simple, everyday language to describe the world around him, but his observations are always sharp and insightful. For example, when he describes the ice cream people as "dead in the eye," he captures the sense of spiritual emptiness and resignation that he sees in them.

Bukowski's use of language is also notable for its rhythm and cadence. His poems often have a musical quality, with a strong beat and a sense of momentum. In "The Icecream People," the short lines and repetition of certain phrases ("fat and sweaty," "not good for anything") create a sense of urgency and intensity.

Another important aspect of Bukowski's poetry is his use of humor. Despite the dark themes and bleak outlook of his work, Bukowski often injects humor into his poems. In "The Icecream People," for example, the image of the overweight and sweaty ice cream people is both grotesque and absurd. Bukowski's humor serves to undercut the seriousness of his message, making it more palatable and accessible to readers.

In conclusion, "The Icecream People" is a classic poem by Charles Bukowski that captures the essence of his unique style and perspective. Through his observations of a hot summer day and the people who buy ice cream, Bukowski offers a scathing critique of modern society and its emptiness and futility. His use of language, rhythm, and humor make the poem both powerful and accessible, and it remains a favorite of Bukowski fans and poetry lovers alike.

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