Like sticks from Santa Claus

[hester_prynne]

Bukowski was lying
outside my door the other morning.
In two thick volumes no less.
That's what I get
for telling my neighbor
I like to write.

I stepped right over him.
Went outside like I always do
to greet morning and smoke.
Left the bastard lying there.
He would have liked that,
liked my dismay at his appearance.

I gathered him up reluctantly
on my way back in.
Why is HE here I wondered.
Like sticks from Santa Claus.
Charley the downer.
Threat to my fragile joy.

At first I put him
in my magazine rack by the toilet.
I figured that would please him.
Perfect place
for his disturbing neutrality.
His base takes.

Of course his random arrival,
forced me to read him.
Midst clucks, tsk tsks and grunts,
slowly, and sadly,
I found myself cheering him.
Against my will.

I never wanted to read the Buk,
but fate has forced him on me.
Staring at his picture,
I've realized it's time
to surrender to him.
He's on my bedside table now.....

[Yejun]

Uh, this is great!

You had me from the first line misdirection to the end. The cadence creates a clear personality for the speaker. Not sure I get the 'sticks from SC' part but that's just nitpicking. It also maps my own ups and downs with "Buke."

I hear echoes of Pound's "apology" to Whitman here.

Again, great!

[judih]

buk's a dear fabulous friend
what's life without a buk -
zen wedding?

[saw]

one of the cool things about living with your eyes and ears open, is that,
even Charlie the Downer can be inspirational.....as you have demonstrated....a real nice piece about, surprise hester....

[Dave The Dov]

Was on this a while ago, http://bukowski.net/ I think they would like it there too!!!!

[theirishsea]

Loved this poem.

[dadio]

I put off reading Bukowski. I thought he was just one of those poets people rant on about. I read a book of his poems borrowed from the library and that was it. I have most of his books now and read him most days.


Love your poem.

[hester_prynne]

Thanks Dadio! I thought it was appropriate to revive this on your thread about his new works being found.
Indeed, it will be a Christmas gift to myself....
H