'We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain' by Charles Bukowski
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call it the greenhouse effect or whatever
but it just doesn't rain like it used to.
I particularly remember the rains of the
depression era.
there wasn't any money but there was
plenty of rain.
it wouldn't rain for just a night or
a day,
it would RAIN for 7 days and 7
nights
and in Los Angeles the storm drains
weren't built to carry off taht much
water
and the rain came down THICK and
MEAN and
STEADY
and you HEARD it banging against
the roofs and into the ground
waterfalls of it came down
from roofs
and there was HAIL
big ROCKS OF ICE
bombing
exploding smashing into things
and the rain
just wouldn't
STOP
and all the roofs leaked-
dishpans,
cooking pots
were placed all about;
they dripped loudly
and had to be emptied
again and
again.
the rain came up over the street curbings,
across the lawns, climbed up the steps and
entered the houses.
there were mops and bathroom towels,
and the rain often came up through the
toilets:bubbling, brown, crazy,whirling,
and all the old cars stood in the streets,
cars that had problems starting on a
sunny day,
and the jobless men stood
looking out the windows
at the old machines dying
like living things out there.
the jobless men,
failures in a failing time
were imprisoned in their houses with their
wives and children
and their
pets.
the pets refused to go out
and left their waste in
strange places.
the jobless men went mad
confined with
their once beautiful wives.
there were terrible arguments
as notices of foreclosure
fell into the mailbox.
rain and hail, cans of beans,
bread without butter;fried
eggs, boiled eggs, poached
eggs; peanut butter
sandwiches, and an invisible
chicken in every pot.
my father, never a good man
at best, beat my mother
when it rained
as I threw myself
between them,
the legs, the knees, the
screams
until they
seperated.
"I'll kill you," I screamed
at him. "You hit her again
and I'll kill you!"
"Get that son-of-a-bitching
kid out of here!"
"no, Henry, you stay with
your mother!"
all the households were under
seige but I believe that ours
held more terror than the
average.
and at night
as we attempted to sleep
the rains still came down
and it was in bed
in the dark
watching the moon against
the scarred window
so bravely
holding out
most of the rain,
I thought of Noah and the
Ark
and I thought, it has come
again.
we all thought
that.
and then, at once, it would
stop.
and it always seemed to
stop
around 5 or 6 a.m.,
peaceful then,
but not an exact silence
because things continued to
drip
drip
drip
and there was no smog then
and by 8 a.m.
there was a
blazing yellow sunlight,
Van Gogh yellow-
crazy, blinding!
and then
the roof drains
relieved of the rush of
water
began to expand in the warmth:
PANG!PANG!PANG!
and everybody got up and looked outside
and there were all the lawns
still soaked
greener than green will ever
be
and there were birds
on the lawn
CHIRPING like mad,
they hadn't eaten decently
for 7 days and 7 nights
and they were weary of
berries
and
they waited as the worms
rose to the top,
half drowned worms.
the birds plucked them
up
and gobbled them
down;there were
blackbirds and sparrows.
the blackbirds tried to
drive the sparrows off
but the sparrows,
maddened with hunger,
smaller and quicker,
got their
due.
the men stood on their porches
smoking cigarettes,
now knowing
they'd have to go out
there
to look for that job
that probably wasn't
there, to start that car
that probably wouldn't
start.
and the once beautiful
wives
stood in their bathrooms
combing their hair,
applying makeup,
trying to put their world back
together again,
trying to forget that
awful sadness that
gripped them,
wondering what they could
fix for
breakfast.
and on the radio
we were told that
school was now
open.
and
soon
there I was
on the way to school,
massive puddles in the
street,
the sun like a new
world,
my parents back in that
house,
I arrived at my classroom
on time.
Mrs. Sorenson greeted us
with, "we won't have our
usual recess, the grounds
are too wet."
"AW!" most of the boys
went.
"but we are going to do
something special at
recess," she went on,
"and it will be
fun!"
well, we all wondered
what that would
be
and the two hour wait
seemed a long time
as Mrs.Sorenson
went about
teaching her
lessons.
I looked at the little
girls, they looked so
pretty and clean and
alert,
they sat still and
straight
and their hair was
beautiful
in the California
sunshine.
the the recess bells rang
and we all waited for the
fun.
then Mrs. Sorenson told us:
"now, what we are going to
do is we are going to tell
each other what we did
during the rainstorm!
we'll begin in the front row
and go right around!
now, Michael, you're first!. . ."
well, we all began to tell
our stories, Michael began
and it went on and on,
and soon we realized that
we were all lying, not
exactly lying but mostly
lying and some of the boys
began to snicker and some
of the girls began to give
them dirty looks and
Mrs.Sorenson said,
"all right! I demand a
modicum of silence
here!
I am interested in what
you did
during the rainstorm
even if you
aren't!"
so we had to tell our
stories and they were
stories.
one girl said that
when the rainbow first
came
she saw God's face
at the end of it.
only she didn't say which end.
one boy said he stuck
his fishing pole
out the window
and caught a little
fish
and fed it to his
cat.
almost everybody told
a lie.
the truth was just
too awful and
embarassing to tell.
then the bell rang
and recess was
over.
"thank you," said Mrs.
Sorenson, "that was very
nice.
and tomorrow the grounds
will be dry
and we will put them
to use
again."
most of the boys
cheered
and the little girls
sat very straight and
still,
looking so pretty and
clean and
alert,
their hair beautiful in a sunshine that
the world might never see
again.
and
Editor 1 Interpretation
We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Charles Bukowski, the American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for capturing the gritty realities of everyday life in his works. "We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain" is a classic Bukowski poem that captures the essence of his literary style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of this poem.
The Form and Structure of the Poem
Bukowski has used a simple and straightforward form in this poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with the last word of the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This simple structure is a hallmark of Bukowski's poetry, and it allows him to convey his message in a clear and direct manner.
The Themes of the Poem
The poem explores the theme of poverty and the struggles of everyday life. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker saying "we ain't got no money, honey." This line establishes the central theme of the poem, which is the lack of financial resources. The following lines of the stanza, "but we got rain" suggests that despite the lack of money, there is still something to be grateful for, which in this case is the rain. This theme of finding happiness in simple things is a recurring motif in Bukowski's works.
The second and third stanzas of the poem deal with the harsh realities of life. The second stanza describes a "landlord banging on the door" and the "telephone ringing off the wall." These images create a sense of chaos and stress, which is a common experience for those living in poverty. The third stanza continues this theme by describing the struggles of working-class people, with lines like "we work for our living" and "we don't cry like you." These lines convey a sense of pride and resilience in the face of adversity.
The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope. The rain, which was mentioned in the first stanza, returns as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The speaker says "we got rain, it's good for the soul," suggesting that despite the struggles of everyday life, there is still something to look forward to. This theme of hope and resilience in the face of adversity is a common thread in Bukowski's works.
The Literary Devices Used in the Poem
Bukowski employs several literary devices in this poem to convey his message effectively. The most notable of these is imagery. The poem is full of vivid images that evoke a sense of the struggles of everyday life. For example, the line "the landlord banging on the door" creates an image of a desperate person trying to collect rent. Similarly, the line "the telephone ringing off the wall" creates a sense of chaos and stress.
Another literary device that Bukowski uses effectively is repetition. The phrase "we ain't got no money, honey" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. This repetition also reinforces the central theme of the poem, which is the lack of financial resources.
The use of metaphor is also notable in this poem. The rain, which is mentioned several times throughout the poem, serves as a metaphor for renewal and rebirth. The line "we got rain, it's good for the soul" suggests that the rain is not just a physical phenomenon but also has a spiritual significance.
The Impact and Significance of the Poem
"We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain" is a powerful poem that captures the struggles of everyday life. The poem's simple structure and straightforward language make it accessible to a wide audience, and its themes of poverty, resilience, and hope resonate with readers from all walks of life.
The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the essence of Bukowski's literary style. Bukowski's works are known for their gritty realism, and this poem is no exception. The use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor create a powerful and unforgettable literary experience.
In conclusion, "We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain" is a classic Bukowski poem that captures the struggles of everyday life. Its themes of poverty, resilience, and hope are universal, and its literary devices are effective in conveying its message. This poem remains a testament to Bukowski's literary genius and his ability to capture the gritty realities of life through his works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain: A Poetic Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the legendary American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his raw, gritty, and unapologetic style of writing. His works often depict the harsh realities of life, the struggles of the working-class, and the dark side of human nature. One of his most famous poems, We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain, is a perfect example of his unique style and perspective.
The poem, first published in 1977 in Bukowski's collection of poems, Love Is a Dog From Hell, is a short, simple, and powerful piece of writing. It consists of only six lines, each of which is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem's title itself is a reflection of the poet's attitude towards life – he acknowledges the lack of material wealth but finds solace in the natural world.
The first line of the poem, "listen to the rain," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Bukowski invites the reader to pay attention to the sound of the rain, which is a recurring motif in his works. Rain, in Bukowski's writing, represents both the beauty and the brutality of life. It can be soothing and calming, but it can also be destructive and violent. By asking the reader to listen to the rain, Bukowski is urging them to embrace the full spectrum of human experience.
The second line, "it's only rain," is a reminder that life's challenges are temporary and that they will pass. Bukowski is acknowledging that the rain may cause discomfort and inconvenience, but it is not a catastrophe. This line is a reflection of Bukowski's philosophy of life – he believed that one should accept the hardships of life and find meaning in them.
The third line, "dark, wet, and slow," is a vivid description of the rain. Bukowski's use of sensory language creates a powerful image in the reader's mind. The rain is not just a physical phenomenon; it is a metaphor for the emotional state of the speaker. The darkness and slowness of the rain suggest a sense of melancholy and resignation.
The fourth line, "letting in the day," is a metaphor for the speaker's acceptance of reality. The rain is not just an obstacle to be overcome; it is a part of life that must be embraced. By letting in the day, the speaker is opening themselves up to the possibilities of the present moment.
The fifth line, "a gentle, soundless way," is a contrast to the previous line's darkness and slowness. The rain, which was once a source of discomfort, has become a source of comfort. The gentle and soundless nature of the rain suggests a sense of peace and tranquility.
The final line, "of saying good-bye," is a poignant ending to the poem. Bukowski is acknowledging that life is fleeting and that everything must come to an end. The rain, which was once a symbol of life's challenges, has become a symbol of life's transience. The speaker is saying goodbye to the past and embracing the present.
In conclusion, We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Bukowski's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader. The poem's message of acceptance, resilience, and the beauty of life's challenges is timeless and universal. Bukowski's legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century is secure, and this poem is a testament to his unique voice and perspective.
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