The next line is the worst garbage He snorts this Curse nursing it for the worse as Synapses across lobes stretch for one Another crackling in the charge Of words; bursting thoughts Powder trail across dots As shot through two barrels He's being held Over one bound by metal heaving Retching Wretched bromide He snorts another; floating Bukowski's gloating Delivering his letters between Cigarettes and The bare legs of onehundreddollar whores Lines done while drinking beers Never got the idea he was a poet Never snorted Sewage nor spewed it Out, down To earth himself Broken brilliant in the rough
d’Verse OLN #322
This is a poem I wrote back in June ’20, not long at all after I launched The Skeptic’s Kaddish. It was inspired by and written as a tribute to Charles Bukowski; and I came across it again just today after not having read it for quite some time… So, I would like to share it for today’s d’Verse Open Link Night.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Very Bukowski! Cheers for this, impressive. Bukowski is a controversial figure because of his crassness, which does come of a crass background, and at the same time I can’t help but respect the ones who continue in their works despite hands dealt.
๐๐๐ป Angela ๐๐ป๐ ~ I totally agree with that
Must say I haven’t read him… he has had a lot of influence, but sometimes the unpleasantness looks a bit like posing.
I’ve watched documentaries ’bout him, and it seems he really did have a difficult life, much like he writes about.
I like Bukowski. He tells it like it is and doesnโt pull any punches. Sometimes life ainโt pretty. I really enjoy your work with this poem!
It took me many years, probably even decades, to stop missing going out and getting messed up. I was self-medicating. I was never addicted to alcohol, never had to go through rehab, but when I was younger, I had a hollow leg. Itโs a good thing I never did cocaine. Judging by my experiences when I was given morphine in the hospital, thatโs a drug I could have become addicted to.
These days Iโd sooner nail my foot to the floor than to go out drinking and carousing.
~Ornery Owl~
๐๐ป๐ค Cara ๐ค๐๐ป ~ thanks! For me, his poetry takes me places I would otherwise never have been… I find it somewhat fascinating!
Even (or especially) Bukowski gets the hit of your wit. Takes all types to make a world, โtis said. Love the style of it, David, and you and he both talented poets. ๐โค๏ธ
๐๐ป๐ค Lia ๐ค๐๐ป
๐ค๐๐ค๐
A lot of people idolize Bukowski, but I’ve never been a “Buk” fan myself. he does come up with a fine line here and there, but his work is generally so soaked in booze and low living that it turns me off. I don’t have virgin ears, and I love Ginsberg et al, but not Bukowski. I just always feel like I need a bath after reading him.
I totally get it. Personally, I find his words different enough from my own writings to be somewhat fascinating!
vivid imagery David!
๐
“As shot through two barrels
He’s being held
Over one bound by metal heaving
Retching
๐ Cindy ๐
๐คThe next line is the worst garbage๐ค
Heartbreaking scene
๐ Abi ๐