The Bane of Bukowski

The Bane of Bukowski

 

 

He may well have been controversial

but i found some of his quotes

some of the best i’ve read

in American culture

 

there’s one about his “beer drunk soul”

being sadder than

all the dead Christmas trees

of the world

 

after reading it

i felt a throbbing ache in my soul

like when you’re opening presents

on Christmas morning

and your mother says

“here’s the last one…”

 

a reader on Reddit came to his defense,

after some reviews considered Bukowski  

a misogynistic person

with derogatory tendencies

 

“why can’t he just be appreciated

for his art,”

the reader replied…

“rather than his mentality

or his struggles with addiction.”

 

i shall conjure up his beer drunk soul

every Christmas

and days thereafter

when discarded trees lie in waste

with streams of icicles blowing in the wind

lining curbsides in residential neighborhoods

 

and that once familiar ache undoubtedly

will return

lasting well into Valentine’s day.

Reviews

[Relic]

There are so many poems I like by him. I recall watching a video on youtube where it showed out the windows of a bus in winter with piano music in the background while the poem was being read. It wasn't Young man on the bus stop though.

Some poets are able to identify the gritty side of life in a way that moves the reader. It's a special talent.

I like this one, Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I was hoping to reach some poets who were familiar with him. Thank you so much, Tim. It's so good seeing you!

[Vol]

Kelly,
Bukowski is a favorite subject of mine... And a HERO, because he singlehandedly shot The Post Modern Movement in the head and killed it dead! Just think if all art was reduced to the likes of Jackson Pollack, literature to William Burroughs, and music to Frank Zappa! I worship him for that! I love his style, it was the greatest influence on my own writing...
"What are you trying to say? Just say it! and let your readers figure it out!
I have to be in the mood for him though, and must take him in small doses. I mean he DOES whine. A lot! But he has SO MUCH to say...
One o my favorites... "The Radio with Guts"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovg-I15dX3Q
Vol

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Kelly Dear 🌾

We've each our fair (or, unfair) burden of trials and tribulations to bear.
Why should Charles Bukowski be any different(?) … though, I'll admit thinking most of his were probably self-imposed. So, there lies an argument that he deserved what he got, that leukemia never knew a more befitting participant … rather harsh, and not my exact sentiment; yet, "Not completely without merit," I'm told.

Still, from my forthright perspective, regardless his twisted idiosyncrasies, I'd give my left pinkie to possess a pinch of his creative originality. Bukowski quote: "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way."
Kelly, I'd say this makes you a master artist.

Despite all this, M'Dear, I'm gonna love you and your original brand of poetry every breath of my life, until it runs out … just as I have from the moment we met.

"Happy Birthday 🌺 Dear Poetess" Big HUG! ⁓ Richard🖌

200/100

[Kelly Scheppers]

...from the moment we met back in 2008, you have always been very dear, very true to me. I will treasure your friendship, always...and love you, even longer! xo

[Richard🖌]

"S I G H H H !!!"

[Neha agrawal]

Your poem has a kind of ache that stays long after the words are gone. The comparison between his “beer drunk soul” and the sadness of discarded Christmas trees is oddly perfect. And that line“like when your mother says, ‘here’s the last one…’”hit with quiet devastation.

You’ve captured something many readers feel but struggle to express.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You acknowledged what I so desperately hoped a reader would. I am ever so thankful to have your presence here, Neha! Thank you!

[Lorry]

For some reason Bukowski always reminds me of Brendan Behan, who was once asked by Guinness to come up with a saying or poem about the black stuff. So he asked for a few cases to give him inspiration.
So a week later the Guinness folk come back and ask him what he came up with. He replied "Guinness, it gets you drunk!"
He sadly died at the young age of 41 from alcohol abuse, but that answer he gave always makes me smile.

[Kelly Scheppers]

A connotation that truly compliments my poem. Thank you most kindly, Lorry!

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is special and you know I had to send a message.

Winston

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your poem on Bukowski was the motivation behind my writing this, so I thank you profoundly for that. Your message was simply the icing on the cake! Thank you, Winston!

[red93]

Kelly - 'You know how to squeeze me' as the Song says 😁 Christmas 2024 was one of my worst ever, with a recent big bereavement and no money in the Bank. I am hoping Xmas 2025 will be better - the early indications are positive, as I am scheduled to receive my Monthly State Pension Payment on 24.12.2025. Always touching wood of course. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

I shall wish the best for you, Tony. The very best, my friend! Thank you!

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Michael Sun Bear]

Hello Kelly, I DO appreciate Charles Bukowski for his writing, and I can certainly relate to his having addictions, but gee whiz Kelly, I don’t want to think about him at Christmas. Wait until you see what I conjure up just for you at Christmas!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your presence is my gift on this birthday, Michael. Thank you for the appreciation. I'm feeling the love!