Charles Bukowski (1920-1994)

Posted on 2020-08-16 by Bartholomew Barker

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This is the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of my favorite poets, Charles Bukowski. I love how he takes the mundane and the profane and illuminates the poetry in each. He can be both coarse and sublime in the very same line. If you aren’t familiar with his work, I encourage you to check out these three poems:

8 count

The Laughing Heart

back to the machinegun

“Somebody asked me: “What do you do? How do you write, create?” You don’t, I told them. You don’t try. That’s very important: not to try, either for Cadillacs, creation or immortality. You wait, and if nothing happens, you wait some more. It’s like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like its looks, you make a pet out of it.”
– Charles Bukowski

Let’s raise a glass to Hank tonight.

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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6 Responses to Charles Bukowski (1920-1994)

  1. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2020-08-17 at 00:51

    The Laughing Heart!

    Liked by 2 people

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  2. Barry McFarlane's avatar Barry McFarlane says:
    2020-08-28 at 17:21

    Thanks for the introduction. Loved 8 Count and when I read it it fit with the photo! Fucker…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Angelilie's avatar Angelilie says:
    2020-09-04 at 13:16

    I really like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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