'On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show' by Charles Bukowski

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The Roominghouse Madrigalsthey talk down through
the centuries to us,
and this we need more and more,
the statues and paintings
in midnight age
as we go along
holding dead hands.and we would say
rather than delude the knowing:
a damn good show,
but hardly enough for a horse to eat,
and out on the sunshine street where
eyes are dabbled in metazoan faces
i decide again
that in theses centuries
they have done very well
considering the nature of their
brothers:
it's more than good
that some of them,
(closer really to the field-mouse than
falcon)
have been bold enough to try.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show by Charles Bukowski

Introduction

Charles Bukowski is one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century. His works often feature gritty, unapologetic themes that have been described as "raw" and "uncompromising." In his poem, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show," Bukowski explores the divide between high culture and the everyday, working-class world. Through vivid imagery and frank language, the poem challenges readers to consider where they fit into this cultural hierarchy.

Summary

In "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show," Bukowski describes leaving an art show and returning to his daily life on the streets. The poem begins with the lines, "the white gallery walls / the white paintings / the white wine / the chatter of voices / on the sidewalks outside." Here, Bukowski sets up a clear contrast between the world of art and the world outside the gallery.

As he walks back to his apartment, Bukowski takes note of the people and places around him. He describes "the winos asleep / in doorways" and "the fat sloppy / people / waiting for buses." In contrast to the elegant, refined world of the art show, the streets are dirty and rough. Bukowski acknowledges this divide, but he also seems to take comfort in his place in the world outside the gallery. He writes, "it's good sometimes to see / the bones in the wrists / and the use of the hands."

Throughout the poem, Bukowski uses vivid, visceral imagery to bring his surroundings to life. He writes of "the stink of life" and "the hot-dog man / and his piss-bucket / full of soapsuds." These details create a sense of texture and depth to the poem's setting, emphasizing the rawness of the street life Bukowski is describing.

Analysis

At its core, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is about the divide between high culture and the everyday world. Bukowski is clearly aware of this divide, and he seems to be grappling with what it means for him as a writer and as a person.

One key element of the poem is the way Bukowski contrasts the "white gallery walls" and "white paintings" with the "stink of life" and the "fat sloppy people" waiting for buses. This contrast is not just about aesthetics, but about class and culture. The world of the art show is one of refinement and sophistication, while the world outside is one of grime and struggle. By placing himself squarely in the latter world, Bukowski seems to be rejecting the elitism of the former.

At the same time, Bukowski also seems to be acknowledging the value of both worlds. He notes that "it's good sometimes to see / the bones in the wrists / and the use of the hands." This line suggests a recognition of the importance of physical labor and the working-class people who perform it. Bukowski may be a writer, but he is also a product of the streets, and he seems to be embracing that heritage in this poem.

Another interesting element of the poem is the way Bukowski uses language. Like much of his work, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is characterized by its frankness and directness. Bukowski does not shy away from using coarse language or describing unpleasant details. This approach creates an immediacy and authenticity that is compelling, but it also raises questions about who the poem is for. Is Bukowski writing for the people on the streets, or for the art-world elite? Or is he writing for himself, as a way of reconciling these two worlds within himself?

Conclusion

Charles Bukowski's "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a powerful exploration of the divide between high culture and the everyday world. Through vivid imagery and frank language, Bukowski challenges readers to consider where they fit into this cultural hierarchy. At the same time, the poem also suggests a reconciliation between these two worlds, acknowledging the value of physical labor and the working-class people who perform it. Overall, "On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a deeply reflective and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski, the American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw, gritty, and unapologetic style of writing. His works often explore the themes of poverty, alcoholism, and the struggles of everyday life. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Bukowski's style and philosophy.

The poem begins with the speaker leaving an art show and returning to the streets. The contrast between the two worlds is stark, and the speaker is acutely aware of it. The art show represents a world of beauty, refinement, and sophistication, while the streets represent a world of poverty, violence, and desperation. The speaker is torn between these two worlds, and he struggles to reconcile them.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The speaker describes the art show as a "world of new hats / and fresh cigarettes / and beautiful women / and men with eyes like flowers." This world is full of glamour and sophistication, and the speaker is clearly impressed by it. However, he also acknowledges that this world is "not for me." He knows that he does not belong in this world, and he feels like an outsider looking in.

The second stanza is where the contrast between the art show and the streets becomes more apparent. The speaker describes the streets as a "world of old hats / and torn jackets / and broken shoes / and no money." This world is the opposite of the art show. It is a world of poverty, desperation, and violence. The speaker is no longer an outsider looking in; he is a part of this world, and he knows it.

The third stanza is where the speaker's struggle to reconcile these two worlds becomes more apparent. He says, "sometimes I think of the men / and women in the art show / and I wonder what it would be like / to be there / but then I remember / that I am here / and I am happy." The speaker is torn between the world of the art show and the world of the streets. He wonders what it would be like to be a part of the art show, but he also knows that he is happy where he is.

The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker describes a violent encounter on the streets. He says, "last night a man / tried to kill me / just because I asked him / for a cigarette." This encounter is a reminder of the harsh reality of the streets. It is a world where violence is always just around the corner, and the speaker is constantly reminded of this fact.

The fifth and final stanza is where the speaker comes to a realization. He says, "but now I sit here / and I look at the world / and I see it / for what it is / and it is beautiful." The speaker has come to accept the world for what it is. He no longer longs to be a part of the art show, nor does he resent the streets. He sees the beauty in both worlds, and he is content with where he is.

In conclusion, "Poetry On Going Back To The Street After Viewing An Art Show" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Charles Bukowski's style and philosophy. The poem explores the contrast between the world of the art show and the world of the streets, and the speaker's struggle to reconcile these two worlds. Ultimately, the speaker comes to accept the world for what it is, and he sees the beauty in both worlds. This poem is a testament to Bukowski's ability to capture the raw, gritty, and unapologetic reality of everyday life, and it is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great poetry.

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