'Hooray Say The Roses' by Charles Bukowski

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burning in water drowning in flame1955-1973hooray say the roses, today is blamesday
and we are red as blood.hooray say the roses, today is Wednesday
and we bloom wher soldiers fell
and lovers too,
and the snake at the word.hooray say the roses, darkness comes
all at once, like lights gone out,
the sun leaves dark continents
and rows of stone.hooray say the roses, cannons and spires,
birds, bees, bombers, today is Friday
the hand holding a medal out the window,
a moth going by, half a mile an hour,
hooray hooray
hooray say the roses
we have empires on our stems,
the sun moves the mouth:
hooray hooray hooray
and that is why you like us.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Hooray Say The Roses: A Literary Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

When it comes to poetry, there are few writers who can match the raw intensity and lyrical genius of Charles Bukowski. His work has become a staple of the literary canon, with Hooray Say The Roses standing out as one of his most celebrated and powerful pieces.

At first glance, Hooray Say The Roses might seem like a simple poem, but beneath the surface lies a complex web of imagery, symbolism, and emotion. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning in this classic poem and examine the various techniques Bukowski uses to convey his message.

The Background of Bukowski

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on the life and work of Charles Bukowski. Born in Germany in 1920, Bukowski spent much of his early life in poverty and struggled with alcoholism throughout his adult years. Despite these challenges, he managed to establish himself as a successful writer and poet, earning critical acclaim for his gritty, unflinching portraits of everyday life.

Bukowski's work is marked by his unapologetic honesty and his refusal to sugarcoat the harsh realities of the world. His poems often deal with themes of loneliness, despair, and alienation, yet he manages to imbue even the bleakest of subjects with a sense of humanity and beauty.

The Poem, "Hooray Say The Roses"

Now, let's turn our attention to Hooray Say The Roses itself. The poem is relatively short, consisting of just 24 lines, but it packs a powerful emotional punch. Here is the poem in full:

hooray say the roses, today is blamesday
and we are red as blood.
hooray say the roses, today is Wednesday
and we bloom where soldiers fell
and lovers too,
and the snake at the word.
hooray say the roses, darkness comes
all at once, like a terrible lashing tail
of a giant beast with sequin eyes
and clear brilliants for teeth.
hooray say the roses, nevertheless
we are here, great sacrifices perhaps
but who cares?
hooray say the roses, summer is over
and gone are our leaves
we should rest but instead
we climb and climb
and bloom and bloom
as if there were no tomorrows,
as if it were simply
a matter of endurance.
hooray say the roses, there is no
other sound quite like us,
the sounds of being alive
and not caring at all for
tomorrow.

On the surface, the poem seems to be a celebration of the beauty and resilience of roses. The flowers are depicted as defiantly blooming in the face of darkness and adversity, taking pride in their existence even in the face of great sacrifice.

At the same time, however, there are darker undertones to the poem. The line "today is blamesday" suggests a sense of guilt or blame, while the imagery of soldiers and lovers falling suggests a sense of loss and tragedy. The rose's defiance in the face of darkness could also be interpreted as a kind of stubbornness or denial.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking elements of Hooray Say The Roses is the vivid and evocative imagery Bukowski employs throughout the poem. From the redness of the roses to the giant beast with sequin eyes, each image is carefully chosen to convey a specific emotion or idea.

For example, the line "we are red as blood" not only emphasizes the vibrant color of the roses but also hints at the idea of sacrifice and violence. Similarly, the image of darkness coming "like a terrible lashing tail / of a giant beast with sequin eyes" is both beautiful and menacing, suggesting a sense of danger and unpredictability.

Overall, Bukowski's use of imagery helps to create a rich and vivid world within the poem, drawing the reader in and immersing them in the roses' world.

The Themes of Resilience and Endurance

One of the key themes of Hooray Say The Roses is the idea of resilience and endurance. Despite the many challenges and setbacks they face, the roses continue to climb and bloom as if there were no tomorrow.

This theme is particularly poignant given Bukowski's own struggles with alcoholism and poverty. The poem can be seen as a reflection of his own determination to keep going in the face of adversity, to keep producing work and living life to the fullest.

The Role of Sound and Language

Another crucial aspect of Hooray Say The Roses is the way Bukowski uses sound and language to create a sense of rhythm and momentum within the poem. The repetition of the phrase "hooray say the roses" gives the poem a kind of chant-like quality, while the use of alliteration and assonance creates a musicality that draws the reader in.

At the same time, Bukowski's use of language is often stark and uncompromising, reflecting the harsh realities of the world he is depicting. This contrast between the beauty of the language and the bleakness of the subject matter creates a powerful tension that is central to the poem's impact.

The Role of the Reader

One of the most fascinating aspects of Hooray Say The Roses is the way it invites the reader to participate in its meaning-making. The poem is open-ended and ambiguous, leaving much of the interpretation up to the reader.

For example, the line "today is blamesday" could be interpreted in a number of different ways. Is it a reference to a specific event or feeling of guilt, or is it a more abstract expression of the human condition? Similarly, the rose's determination to bloom in the face of darkness could be seen as either inspiring or stubborn.

This open-endedness allows the poem to speak to a wide range of readers, each of whom can find their own meaning within its pages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hooray Say The Roses is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Charles Bukowski's unique talent for capturing the beauty and brutality of the world around us. Through vivid imagery, musical language, and a deep sense of empathy, Bukowski creates a portrait of the rose that is both inspiring and haunting.

The poem is a testament to the human spirit and our ability to endure even in the face of great hardship. It is a reminder that, even when everything seems dark and hopeless, there is still beauty to be found in the world and that we should celebrate it whenever we can.

As Bukowski himself might say, "hooray say the roses."

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Hooray Say The Roses: A Celebration of Life and Art

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Charles Bukowski. Known for his raw, gritty, and often controversial writing style, Bukowski was a prolific writer who published numerous collections of poetry and prose during his lifetime. One of his most famous poems is "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses," a celebration of life and art that has become a classic in the world of poetry.

The Poem

"Poetry Hooray Say The Roses" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, however, the poem packs a powerful punch. Here's the full text:

the roses are so red

the violets are so blue

I am so happy

I'm not

you

poetry hooray say the roses

and so can

you

At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward. It's a playful riff on the classic nursery rhyme "Roses are red, violets are blue," and it ends with a call to celebrate poetry. But as with much of Bukowski's work, there's more going on beneath the surface.

Analysis

To fully appreciate "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses," it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Bukowski was a writer who often explored the darker side of life, and his work was often characterized by themes of loneliness, alienation, and despair. But despite this, he was also a writer who celebrated life and the beauty of the world around him.

In "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses," Bukowski uses the imagery of flowers to convey a sense of joy and wonder. The roses are described as "so red," while the violets are "so blue." This hyperbolic language emphasizes the intensity of the colors and suggests that the world is a vibrant and exciting place.

The speaker of the poem is also described as "so happy," which further reinforces this sense of joy and wonder. But there's a twist: the speaker is happy because they're not someone else. This line suggests that the speaker is content with who they are and doesn't envy others. It's a subtle nod to the idea of self-acceptance and self-love.

The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most important. "Poetry hooray say the roses / and so can you" is a call to action. It's an invitation to celebrate poetry and to find joy and beauty in the world around us. But it's also a reminder that anyone can do this. The roses don't discriminate; they celebrate poetry regardless of who you are or where you come from.

Themes

"Poetry Hooray Say The Roses" touches on several themes that are common in Bukowski's work. Here are a few of the most prominent:

Beauty in the Mundane

Bukowski was a writer who often found beauty in the everyday. In "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses," he uses the imagery of flowers to convey a sense of wonder and joy. The poem suggests that even the most ordinary things can be beautiful if we take the time to appreciate them.

Self-Acceptance

The line "I'm not / you" suggests that the speaker is content with who they are and doesn't envy others. This idea of self-acceptance is a recurring theme in Bukowski's work. He often wrote about characters who were outsiders or misfits, but who found a sense of peace and contentment in their own skin.

Celebrating Life

Despite his reputation as a writer who explored the darker side of life, Bukowski was also a writer who celebrated life and the beauty of the world around him. "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses" is a celebration of the joy and wonder that can be found in the world if we take the time to look for it.

Conclusion

"Poetry Hooray Say The Roses" is a classic poem that has resonated with readers for decades. It's a celebration of life and art that encourages us to find joy and beauty in the world around us. Bukowski's use of vivid imagery and playful language creates a sense of wonder and excitement that is infectious. Whether you're a fan of poetry or not, "Poetry Hooray Say The Roses" is a poem that is sure to leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

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