Big Tent Poetry, Poetry

sound sleep

Big Tent Poetry monday prompt: select an artist, one poem, one line and go… i’ve selected charles bukowski, bluebird, and the line i don’t weep, do you? the first time i heard this i was hooked.  for your utube visual pleasure below is his bluebird…

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i don’t weep, do you?*

there’s never a thought
that descends so low nor
lingers long after his cheek is dry

there’s never a story
that lasts too long
he sleeps so soundly
snoring slightly

there’s never a man
who willingly slips and
finds his way back
wily whiskey extortion

there’s never a sign
of that certainty
that smile that charms
that snarl that erases

only now
toward evening late
does he speak sincerely
in and along the shadows
who murmur not
telling the moon his story

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6 thoughts on “sound sleep”

  1. This is wonderful. I’m not a lover of Bukowdki’s poetry, but you have made splendid use of the borrowed line.

    Normally on Big Tent, we leave a hyperlink directly to the poem, so I clicked on your name instead.

  3. Your poem is the real deal. One of the best I’ve ever read, including Bukowski.

    when i feel like giving up and not writing anymore, i will recall yr comment. thank you so very, very much!! i worked on this for awhile… couldn’t settle down into a rhythm or anything… at times the words seemed too crowded and unwilling to sing… i was gonna trash it… but i was so in love with bukowski’s bluebird i wanted to respond

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  5. only now
    toward evening late
    does he speak sincerely
    in and along the shadows
    who murmur not
    telling the moon his story

    OMG, quit spying on me dear.

    Lovely and sad and timeless.

    it’s wonderful to see you also have a great sense of humor… please don’t tell me you howl at the moon and grow fangs, long for blood…

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