"The Laughing Heart" by Charles Bukowski is a powerful and uplifting poem that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of embracing life's challenges. The poem begins with the line "your life is your life," which sets the tone for a message of personal responsibility and empowerment. Bukowski urges the reader to fully engage with life, to "fight for it" and not to "let it slide through your fingers." He acknowledges the pain and suffering that life inevitably brings, but he also emphasizes the importance of finding joy and laughter amidst the struggles.

Read by Tom O'Bedlam.