"The Laughing Heart" [by Charles Bukowski]

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

-- by Charles Bukowski

Read more about Charles Bukowski here. For comments the poem has generated, link here.

from the archives; first posted November 6, 2008

Comments

[Janet Burroway]

It's just very hard for me to understand Bukowski's popularity. I value Best American Poetry--but this is image-less, cliche and banal. No? Am I wrong? And if so, why?

[Dr. Earle Hitchner]

As I write my praise for this BAP posting of a terrific Charles Bukowski poem, I glance to my left and found, spine out in a short pile, my copy of Bukoswski's SIFTING THROUGH THE MADNESS FOR THE WORD, THE LINE, THE WAY. Was he winking at me? I like to think so. Is it kismet? Perhaps. But what is certain is this inspired choice from Bukowski's verse. Bravo!

[David Lehman]

Thank you, Dr. Earle -- as always your comments are valuable.
Ms Burroway, I endeavored to discuss Bukoqwski's appeal here: https://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2011/09/bukowski.html