The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski
How I cope with my Monday: I watch Tom Waits reading Bukowski.
The Laughing Heart
Charles Bukowskiyour life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.
[...] another day amidst power suits and sterile coffee chains. Still, as Charles Bukowski wrote in The Laughing Heart, “there is a light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness.” If [...]
[...] forest; sitting 2/3 up at the deserted temple. Other reprieves from the busy have included reading “The Laughing Heart,” by Bukowski (and watching Tom Waits read it), along with reading other poetry. And naps. And listening to [...]
Yes, thank you. This provided a respite and reminder during a busy Monday.
Thank you.
in one word it’s awesome!
I came across “The Laughing Heart” recently for the first time. Looking for Tom Waits on youtube I found a video of him reading this poem. I am so glad I did.