Charles Bukowski - Bluebird

Written:

Bluebird was written in the 1990s, published as part of Bukowski’s 1992 poetry collection The Last Night of the Earth Poems. This was one of the last collections Bukowski released before his death in 1994. The poem reflects a more contemplative side of Bukowski’s work as he faced the later years of his life, exploring themes of mortality, introspection, and the complexities of human emotion.

Theme: 

The theme of Bluebird by Charles Bukowski revolves around vulnerability, emotional suppression, and the conflict between one’s inner self and societal expectations. The "bluebird" in the poem symbolizes Bukowski’s softer, more sensitive side, which he keeps hidden from the world. Bukowski was known for his gritty, tough persona and raw, unapologetic writing style, often portraying himself as a hardened, cynical character. However, in Bluebird, he reveals a gentler, more introspective side, suggesting that beneath his rugged exterior lies a desire for love, acceptance, and tenderness. The poem captures the struggle to maintain this vulnerable self in a world that often demands strength and resilience, highlighting the human tendency to guard one's emotions and present a fortified facade.

Poem:

there’s a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I’m too tough for him,I say, stay in there, I’m not goingto let anybody seeyou.there’s a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I pour whiskey on him and inhalecigarette smokeand the whores and the bartendersand the grocery clerksnever know thathe’sin there.

there’s a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I’m too tough for him,I say,stay down, do you want to messme up?you want to screw up theworks?you want to blow my book sales inEurope?there’s a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I’m too clever, I only let him outat night sometimeswhen everybody’s asleep.I say, I know that you’re there,so don’t besad.then I put him back,but he’s singing a littlein there, I haven’t quite let himdieand we sleep together likethatwith oursecret pactand it’s nice enough tomake a manweep, but I don’tweep, doyou?

Credits: poem by Charles Bukowski, 1990. / many thanks for the music and its creator, Chillpac / @chillpac_.

Artist links:

https://www.instagram.com/chillpac_/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3k8dN7ttBtz3ce20RS6BQl?si=Grhd8zqsRYO9pV0NNt4y0g

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The theme of "Love After Love" by Derek Walcott is self-rediscovery and self-love after a period of loss or heartbreak. The poem is a gentle and reassuring meditation on the importance of reconnecting with oneself, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and the idea that true love for oneself can be found within.

Walcott writes about a future moment when you will meet "yourself arriving at your own door," symbolizing a reunion with the parts of yourself that may have been neglected or forgotten. The poem encourages readers to "feast on your life"—to cherish their own experiences, memories, and identities rather than seeking fulfillment solely from external relationships.

Ultimately, "Love After Love" speaks to the healing process of learning to love oneself again after facing the pain of separation or emotional hardship. It beautifully conveys the idea that wholeness and peace come from within.

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A simple poem of a chilly April evening when wonder passed by.

Enjoy!

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David M. Romano - When/If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

Theme:

David Romano's poignant poem, "When Tomorrow Starts Without Me," encapsulates the theme of coping with loss and finding solace in the belief of an afterlife. Through its heartfelt verses, the poem urges us to cherish life's fleeting moments and to appreciate the loved ones who enrich our journey. It reminds us to live with integrity and to embrace each day with love and gratitude, for tomorrow is never promised. As we navigate the complexities of grief, the poem offers reassurance that our departed loved ones remain ever-present in our hearts, guiding us with their enduring love and memories.

Poem:

When tomorrow starts without meAnd I’m not here to seeIf the sun should rise and find your eyesAll filled with tears for meI wish you wouldn’t cryThe way you did todayWhile thinking of the many thingsWe did not get to sayI know how much you love meAs much as I love youEach time that you think of meI know you will miss me tooWhen tomorrow starts with out mePlease try to understandThat an angel came and called my nameAnd took me by the handThe angel said my place was readyIn heaven far aboveAnd that I would have to leave behindAll those I dearly loveBut when I walked through Heaven’s GatesI felt so much at homeWhen God looked down and smiled at meFrom his golden throneHe said this is eternityAnd all I promised youToday for life on earth is doneBut here it starts a newI promise no tomorrowFor today will always lastAnd since each day’s the exact same wayThere is no longing for the pastSo when tomorrow starts without meDo not think we’re apartFor every time you think of meRemember I’m right here in your heart

Credits: David M. Romano - Date: unknown

*There's limited information about the poem itself in terms of publishing/writing date as well as the author. The interpretation of the theme in the description is solely an interpretation I came up with and should be taken only as such. 

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A heartfelt Sunday morning poem emerged from the depths of my being, inspired by the lessons I've gleaned and the challenges I've faced. Its purpose is to rekindle the flickering flame within, to celebrate the boundless love and genuine essence of life's grace. I offer this intimate poem with the hope that it resonates with your spirit, illuminating your path and filling your heart with inspiration and profound grace.

In the tapestry of existence, it is not solely about the interplay between good and evil, for both hold significance within the grand tapestry of life. It is in uncovering the truth hidden within their depths that the true essence of our journey unfolds. Embracing the profound meaning embedded within every experience, we traverse the path of discovery, seeking the profound wisdom that lies within the duality of existence. May this realization accompany you on your journey, infusing each step with purpose and guiding you towards the profound truth that life graciously bestows upon us.

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Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi - Because I Cannot Sleep

Written: cca. 1207-1273

Poem: 

Because I cannot sleepI make music at night.I am troubled by the onewhose face has the color of spring flowers.I have neither sleep nor patience,neither a good reputation nor disgrace.A thousand robes of wisdom are gone.All my good manners have moved a thousand miles away.The heart and the mind are left angry with each other.The stars and the moon are envious of each other.Because of this alienation the physical universeis getting tighter and tighter.The moon says, "How long will I remainsuspended without a sun?"Without Love's jewel inside of me,let the bazaar of my existence be destroyed stone by stone.O Love, You who have been called by a thousand names,You who know how to pour the wineinto the chalice of the body,You who give culture to a thousand cultures,You who are faceless but have a thousand faces,O Love, You who shape the facesof Turks, Europeans, and Zanzibaris,give me a glass from Your bottle,or a handful of being from Your Branch.Remove the cork once more.Then we'll see a thousand chiefs prostrate themselves,and a circle of ecstatic troubadours will play.Then the addict will be freed of craving.and will be resurrected,and stand in awe till Judgement Day.

Credits: Jalal al-Din Rumi, 1207-1273

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Berton Braley - Opportunity

Written: circa 1917

Theme:

No matter where you live, or where you have been born whether that is into a wealthy family or to dirt poor parents, opportunities are available. The sad truth is that those who believe what their family roots did or did not give them have little to nothing to do with what lies ahead. Many of you have heard about the "cycle of poverty" but that cycle can be broken. How? The real opportunity lies within. That's right. The genuine possibility is for you to see; for you to plan to achieve, and for you to grasp hold of so strong that nothing will ever dissuade you from succeeding. But, bear in mind that just because you can envision a dream coming true does not mean that from now on everything will be a bed of roses. Why? Because within that bed of roses lie thorny branches.So, what does this all mean? AS Berton Braley says, "Don't worry and fret, faint hearted, the chances have just begun," for it is recognizing that chances are abundant that keeps the spark of good fortune alive. For each chance, there is another new avenue to pursue or another path around the obstacle in the way. Defeat, or failure, is only an opportunity to reload from past mistakes taking forward those parts that showed promise or sprouted new ways towards accomplishment.Thus, this is a poem of encouragement for anyone who has doubts about the opportunity that each of us has. Berton Braley motivates us in this poem by delineating that each and every one of us has the opportunity to do the best and to take that chance because we never know what we can accomplish. Let his words motivate you to take action towards the dreams and goals that you may have! (Stresslesscountry.com, 2023)

Poem:

With doubt and dismay you are smittenYou think there's no chance for you, son?Why, the best books haven't been writtenThe best race hasn't been run,The best score hasn't been made yet,The best song hasn't been sung,The best tune hasn't been played yet,Cheer up, for the world is young!No chance? Why the world is just eagerFor things that you ought to createIts store of true wealth is still meagreIts needs are incessant and great,It yearns for more power and beautyMore laughter and love and romance,More loyalty, labor and duty,No chance- why there's nothing but chance!For the best verse hasn't been rhymed yet,The best house hasn't been planned,The highest peak hasn't been climbed yet,The mightiest rivers aren't spanned,Don't worry and fret, faint hearted,The chances have just begun,For the Best jobs haven't been started,The Best work hasn't been done.

Credits: Berton Braley, 1917 / Stresslesscountry.com, 2023

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W.S. Merwin - Thanks

Published: 2005 in Migration: New and Selected Poems

Theme & Story:

Reads as an expression of gratitude for the bounty of his life. Merwin voices his thanks in an effusive manner that stays consistent whether bowing from bridges, addressing the water or remembering wars. It begins with the simple word “Listen” and goes on to describe a variety of beautiful moments:

with the night falling we are saying thank youwe are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railingswe are running out of the glass roomswith our mouths full of food to look at the skyand say thank you

While the second stanza takes a more somber tone, Merwin doesn’t fail to stop and give thanks amid the darker aspects of life, as well:

back from a series of hospitals back from a muggingafter funerals we are saying thank youafter the news of the deadwhether or not we knew them we are saying thank you

Credits: Rachel Jones, 2021  / W.S.Merwin, 2005

Poem:

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Dragos Radu - Do Not Close Your Eyes

Written: 27th December 2022, Bucharest

Theme & Story:

This poem was inspired by a sentiment of longing and emptiness for one person in my life whom I got to know for only the first 6 years of my life, my grandfather. Since I was a child, I have been looking up to him; he was a pilot, so, at that time, I desired to become one too. Thanks to him, I know how to play chess and ride a bike. When I was 5 years old, and he was teaching me chess, I used to steal some of his pieces from the board; he was never happy about that, as aside from learning chess, he wanted me to be a fair and honest person. No actual winning comes with shortcuts. It's all a process. I realised all these things through the years, yet most at the previous year's end when I visited his resting place. Why then? Well, I was different. I sat down there and talked. Went there like a child, the 5-year-old that once made his life difficult where he made my life unforgettable. It was one of the first people in my life, aside from my mother and grandmother, that had an impact on me, left a trace, and truly loved me. I have never forgotten him, so I wrote this poem in his memory and in the memory of all of you listening who had or have such people in your lives who play(ed) an irreplaceable role. 

Enjoy, and thank you for being here.

Dragos

Poem: 

Do not close your eyes while the sky is still blue,

As then, the sound of the birds is sweetest. 

Do not close your eyes when there is no hope,

As then, something new is born.

Do not close your eyes when you’re overwhelmed by loneliness,

As then, someone who’s once loved you is there with you.

Do not close your eyes when the sun is setting,

As then, stars will come up to show your way.

Do not close your eyes when your heart is broken,

As then, light will seep inside you. 

Do not close your eyes while we are together,

As we do not know if we will ever meet again. 

Credits: Dragos Radu, 2022 / The Diary Of A Nobody, 2022

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Sara Teasdale - A Winter Bluejay

Written/Published: 1915 in Rivers to the Sea

Theme:

The poem begins by placing the couple in a snow-covered landscape, walking through the “whisper[ing]” snow, enjoying a quiet moment. Their shadows are “danc[ing]” behind them, creating a beautiful pattern of light. It is clear that this moment is not one that comes often. 

They continue on their walk and come upon skaters on a frozen lake who gracefully, without fault, weave around one another. Their grace and effortless beauty mimic the day and improve upon it still. Finally, the speaker asks if they have reached the “highest point” of their happiness and she decides that they have not as her companion points out a bluejay. The jay is proud of it’s own form and fearless in its assertions of life. The bird is like their love is that day, without worry for the future and enjoying the perfect moment the day has brought. 

The poem concludes with an optimistic statement about happiness. That when one believes they have reached the pinnacle of their life, in which nothing could increase their joy, there may be more around the corner waiting for them. Read more @ PoemAnalysis.com (PoemAnalysis.com, 2022)

Poem:

Crisply the bright snow whispered,Crunching beneath our feet;Behind us as we walked along the parkway,Our shadows danced,Fantastic shapes in vivid blue.Across the lake the skatersFlew to and fro,With sharp turns weavingA frail invisible net.In ecstasy the earthDrank the silver sunlight;In ecstasy the skatersDrank the wine of speed;In ecstasy we laughedDrinking the wine of love.Had not the music of our joySounded its highest note?But no,For suddenly, with lifted eyes you said,“Oh look!”There, on the black bough of a snow flecked maple,Fearless and gay as our love,A bluejay cocked his crest!Oh who can tell the range of joyOr set the bounds of beauty?

Credits: Sara Teasdale 1915 / PoemAnalysis.com 2022

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