I harbor a somewhat guilt-inducing admiration for the American poet and writer, Charles Bukowski.
On the one hand, I don't think Bukowski was much of a poet, at least not in a strict sense of the word. I would consider him more of a 'basher', someone who simply bashed lines onto paper via a typewriter without much consideration or feel for the conventions of poetry.
One the other hand, I consider Bukowski to be a great writer. What he lacked in poetic finesse, he more than made up through the keen and memorable observations he bashed out of his typer in the evenings. He also managed to compose many memorable lines and phrases. In terms of his attitude and approach to writing, he is unsurpassed. Old Buke may have lacked certain technical and stylistic talents, but when it came to the act of writing itself, he showed absolutely no lack of discipline, dedication, or delight for his craft.
Bukowksi's passion for writing was, I believe, religious in nature. I don't mean that he explored religious themes or subjects, but rather that he approached the art of putting words to paper with a religious-like zeal and commitment. Simply put, Old Buke was a creator and there was nothing he enjoyed more, that fulfilled him more than creating.
Yes, many could argue his love of the drink or of horse races also fulfilled him, but those who have studied his work understand that these passions never eclipsed his primary passion - writing. He once quipped that he would happily pay for the privilege of being able to write. If that doesn't demonstrate a superior level of commitment, then I don't know what does.
Now don't get me wrong, I do not admire Charles Bukowski's sordid and often sleazy life. Nor do I approve of his rampant alcoholism. It bothers me that he did not really take religion or religious questions all that seriously - that his work often tinkers with the edges of nihilism. Nevertheless, I have nothing but reverence for his intensity and his devotion to writing. I also respect his allegiance to what he perceived to be his purpose in life.
Bukowski was extremely stubborn when it came to prioritizing and made very few compromises in his life - and that is something I not only applaud, but fiercely believe we need more of in this world, especially in those who have rejected or have been sidelined by the mainstream.
As I mentioned above, Bukowski was not religious in any conventional sense of the word, but he approached his writing with a fervor one could only describe as religious. - (Yes, Buddhist monks presided over his funeral, but this in no way supports any claim that the poet had become a practicing Buddhist toward the end of his life.)
We need more of this fervor today, both in the arts and in Christianity. More dedication; fewer compromises. More bold thought and action; fewer rationalizations and procrastination. More people who are willing to roll the dice and go all the way, as it were.
Roll the Dice is one of Bukowski's most famous and most oft-quoted poems. The subject is obviously writing, but what I like about this particularly vigorous piece of 'bashing' is that the subject can easily be substituted with almost anything else. Imagine if the thing we are "going to try" is spiritual development or theosis. Imagine if we approached that with the same vigor, certainty, fearlessness, and intensity with which Bukowski approached his pursuit of writing.
Yeah, just imagine.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
roll the dice
Charles Bukowski
if you're going to try, go all the
way.
otherwise, don't even start.
if you're going to try, go all the
way.
this could mean losing girlfriends,
wives, relatives, jobs and
maybe your mind.
go all the way.
it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days.
it could mean freezing on a
park bench.
it could mean jail,
it could mean derision,
mockery,
isolation.
isolation is the gift,
all the others are a test of your
endurance, of
how much you really want to
do it.
and you'll do it
despite rejection and the worst odds
and it will be better than
anything else
you can imagine.
if you're going to try,
go all the way.
there is no other feeling like
that.
you will be alone with the gods
and the nights will flame with
fire.
do it, do it, do it.
do it.
all the way
all the way.
you will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, its
the only good fight
there is.
- Charles Bukowski
On the one hand, I don't think Bukowski was much of a poet, at least not in a strict sense of the word. I would consider him more of a 'basher', someone who simply bashed lines onto paper via a typewriter without much consideration or feel for the conventions of poetry.
One the other hand, I consider Bukowski to be a great writer. What he lacked in poetic finesse, he more than made up through the keen and memorable observations he bashed out of his typer in the evenings. He also managed to compose many memorable lines and phrases. In terms of his attitude and approach to writing, he is unsurpassed. Old Buke may have lacked certain technical and stylistic talents, but when it came to the act of writing itself, he showed absolutely no lack of discipline, dedication, or delight for his craft.
Bukowksi's passion for writing was, I believe, religious in nature. I don't mean that he explored religious themes or subjects, but rather that he approached the art of putting words to paper with a religious-like zeal and commitment. Simply put, Old Buke was a creator and there was nothing he enjoyed more, that fulfilled him more than creating.
Yes, many could argue his love of the drink or of horse races also fulfilled him, but those who have studied his work understand that these passions never eclipsed his primary passion - writing. He once quipped that he would happily pay for the privilege of being able to write. If that doesn't demonstrate a superior level of commitment, then I don't know what does.
Now don't get me wrong, I do not admire Charles Bukowski's sordid and often sleazy life. Nor do I approve of his rampant alcoholism. It bothers me that he did not really take religion or religious questions all that seriously - that his work often tinkers with the edges of nihilism. Nevertheless, I have nothing but reverence for his intensity and his devotion to writing. I also respect his allegiance to what he perceived to be his purpose in life.
Bukowski was extremely stubborn when it came to prioritizing and made very few compromises in his life - and that is something I not only applaud, but fiercely believe we need more of in this world, especially in those who have rejected or have been sidelined by the mainstream.
As I mentioned above, Bukowski was not religious in any conventional sense of the word, but he approached his writing with a fervor one could only describe as religious. - (Yes, Buddhist monks presided over his funeral, but this in no way supports any claim that the poet had become a practicing Buddhist toward the end of his life.)
We need more of this fervor today, both in the arts and in Christianity. More dedication; fewer compromises. More bold thought and action; fewer rationalizations and procrastination. More people who are willing to roll the dice and go all the way, as it were.
Roll the Dice is one of Bukowski's most famous and most oft-quoted poems. The subject is obviously writing, but what I like about this particularly vigorous piece of 'bashing' is that the subject can easily be substituted with almost anything else. Imagine if the thing we are "going to try" is spiritual development or theosis. Imagine if we approached that with the same vigor, certainty, fearlessness, and intensity with which Bukowski approached his pursuit of writing.
Yeah, just imagine.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
roll the dice
Charles Bukowski
if you're going to try, go all the
way.
otherwise, don't even start.
if you're going to try, go all the
way.
this could mean losing girlfriends,
wives, relatives, jobs and
maybe your mind.
go all the way.
it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days.
it could mean freezing on a
park bench.
it could mean jail,
it could mean derision,
mockery,
isolation.
isolation is the gift,
all the others are a test of your
endurance, of
how much you really want to
do it.
and you'll do it
despite rejection and the worst odds
and it will be better than
anything else
you can imagine.
if you're going to try,
go all the way.
there is no other feeling like
that.
you will be alone with the gods
and the nights will flame with
fire.
do it, do it, do it.
do it.
all the way
all the way.
you will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, its
the only good fight
there is.
- Charles Bukowski
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