Poetry Sunday: The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski

While looking for a poem to feature this week, I came upon this one and it immediately grabbed my "laughing heart." I especially loved these lines:

"there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness."

And these:

"you can't beat death
but you can beat death in life, sometimes."

Better the light than the darkness and here's to beating death in life. And so my poem of the week was chosen. I hope you like it, too.  

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 a 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.

Comments

  1. David M. Gascoigne,May 26, 2024 at 5:18 AM

    Charles Bukowski is new to me, Dorothy, but if this is how he writes I’ll be looking for more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TomMay 26, 2024 at 5:23 AM

    ...keep laughing, it's good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlanaMay 26, 2024 at 10:28 AM

    Excellent philosophy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lark May 26, 2024 at 10:48 AM

    Oh, I love this one! Thanks for posting it. It's just what I needed today. :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMay 29, 2024 at 5:24 AM

    A poem of encouragement that is, like all good poems, nevertheless, realistic and tentative. Wonderful poem. I read a lot of poetry, but I've stayed away from mostly Charles Bukowski, having heard he is dark and dire...apparently not always true. I've added this poem to my file of favorites. Thank you, Dorothy!

    ReplyDelete

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