Sunday, May 23, 2021

Poetry Sunday


I'm two years shy of my 72nd birthday, but I'm not ready to check out yet - I have grandchildren to love, a garden to tend, fine wine to drink, and plenty of friends who are, oddly enough, still speaking to me ...

two nights before my 72nd birthday
by Charles Bukowski

sitting here on a boiling hot night while
drinking a bottle of cabernet sauvignon
after winning $232 at the track.
there's not much I can tell you except 
if it weren't for my bad right leg
I don't feel much different than I did
30 or 40 years ago (except that
now I have more money and should be able 
to afford a decent 
burial). also,
I drive better automobiles and have
stopped carrying a 
switchblade.
I am still looking for a hero, a role model,
but can't find one.
I am no more tolerant of Humanity
than I ever was.
I am not bored with myself and find
that I am the only one I can 
turn to in time of
crisis.
I've been ready to die for decades and
I've been practicing, polishing up
for that end
but it's very 
hot tonight
and I can thing of little but
this fine cabernet,
that's gift enough for me.
sometimes I can't 
believe I've come this far,
this has to be some kind of goddamned
miracle!
just another old guy
blinking at the forces,
smiling a little,
as the cities tremble and the left
hand rises,
clutching
something 
real. 

Have a good day, enjoy the rest of the weekend ... and of your life - it's the only one you'll get.

More thoughts coming.

Bilbo 

1 comment:

Mike said...

"I am still looking for a hero, a role model, but can't find one."
I gave up on that a long time ago.