Bukowski’s friends within the darkness
photo by Small Circle BIg Circle
I can remember starving in a
small room in a strange city
shades pulled down, listening to
classical music
I was young I was so young it hurt like a knife
inside
because there was no alternative except to hide as long
as possible–
not in self-pity but with dismay at my limited chance:
trying to connect.
.
the old composers – Mozart, Bach, Beethoven,
Brahms were the only ones who spoke to me and
they were dead.
.
finally, starved and beaten, I had to go into
the streets to be interviewed for low-paying and
monotonous
jobs
by strange men behind desks
men without eyes men without faces
who would take my hours
break them
piss on them.
.
now I work for the editors the readers the
critics
.
but still hang around and drink with
Mozart, Bach, Brahms and the
Bee
some buddies
some men
.
sometimes all we need to be able to continue alone
are the dead
rattling the walls
that close us in.
.
by Charles Bukowski
Carolina, your photography is inspiring, and adds a certain context to this wonderful poem.
February 14, 2012 at 5:00 am
Thank you, Andrew. A question: do you think poetry can be translated? I would love to know your thoughts about that…
February 16, 2012 at 5:43 am
carolina, nice work.
though the above question is not to me, i’m answering.
you can write another poem by taking the idea and feel from one poem. pure translation is not possible as far as i am concerned. whad do you think?
March 12, 2012 at 4:27 am
I agree with you. In translating a poem one has to choose between meaning and music. Will the translation prioritize meaning or sound? In the end, you are right: what comes out is a new poem.
March 12, 2012 at 12:38 pm
this photograph is a work of art. Sharon
April 9, 2012 at 8:42 am
Thank you Sharon. I am so glad you like it. I live surrounded by woods, in a region where there are more trees than people. I am fortunate to be able to spend time every day walking in nature. Now, the trees and I, have become good friends. These are some of their gifts… It took me a long time to notice them and appreciate them….I am sure you understand what I mean!
April 9, 2012 at 9:04 am
Oh my dear Carolina! I too love the woods and we live next to a nature reserve. It is always such a special place for me to go to daily and I actually spend time just staring at their beautiful grooves, lines and touch the hard ridges of their bark. I am so glad that we share this wonderful love for trees and to have a special friendship with them! It sounds lovely where you live! I’m now going out for a walk to say hello to some old friends over 200 years old
I’ll be thinking of you! Hugs always.
April 9, 2012 at 9:56 am
Have a great walk! I am going shortly too…They really do have a lot to say…
April 9, 2012 at 10:10 am