'Cows In Art Class' by Charles Bukowski


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good weather

is like

good women-

it doesn't always happen

and when it does

it doesn't

always last.

man is

more stable:

if he's bad

there's more chance

he'll stay that way,

or if he's good

he might hang

on,

but a woman

is changed

by

children

age

diet

conversation

sex

the moon

the absence or

presence of sun

or good times.

a woman must be nursed

into subsistence

by love

where a man can become

stronger

by being hated.

I am drinking tonight in Spangler's Bar

and I remember the cows

I once painted in Art class

and they looked good

they looked better than anything

in here. I am drinking in Spangler's Bar

wondering which to love and which

to hate, but the rules are gone:

I love and hate only

myself-

they stand outside me

like an orange dropped from the table

and rolling away; it's what I've got to

decide:

kill myself or

love myself?

which is the treason?

where's the information

coming from?

books...like broken glass:

I wouldn't wipe my ass with 'em

yet, it's getting

darker, see?

(we drink here and speak to

each other and

seem knowing.)

buy the cow with the biggest

tits

buy the cow with the biggest

rump.

present arms.

the bartender slides me a beer

it runs down the bar

like an Olympic sprinter

and the pair of pliers that is my hand

stops it, lifts it,

golden piss of dull temptation,

I drink and

stand there

the weather bad for cows

but my brush is ready

to stroke up

the green grass straw eye

sadness takes me all over

and I drink the beer straight down

order a shot

fast

to give me the guts and the love to

go

on.

from

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Cows in Art Class is a poem that was written by the legendary poet Charles Bukowski. The poem has been a subject of literary discourse for many years due to its unique style and subject matter. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its various themes and meanings.

Background Information

Charles Bukowski was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Bukowski was known for his gritty, raw, and often controversial writing style that explored themes of poverty, alcoholism, and the human condition.

Cows in Art Class was published in Bukowski's 1978 collection of poems titled "Play the Piano Drunk Like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit." The poem tells the story of a group of cows that attend an art class and their reactions to the different works of art that they see.

Literary Analysis

Theme

One of the main themes of Cows in Art Class is the idea of perspective. The poem shows how different individuals can have vastly different interpretations of the same piece of art. The cows, who are not typically associated with the art world, have their own unique perspectives on the different pieces that they see.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of beauty. The cows are drawn to certain pieces of art because they find them beautiful. This shows that even animals have an appreciation for beauty and can be moved by it.

Structure

Cows in Art Class is a free-verse poem that does not follow any specific rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into stanzas of varying lengths, with each stanza containing a different scene or image.

The poem also makes use of metaphors and similes to enhance its imagery. For example, the cows are described as "big dark birds" and the art teacher is compared to a "priest." These comparisons help to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Imagery

The imagery in Cows in Art Class is both vivid and unconventional. The cows are described in a way that makes them seem almost human, with their reactions to the art mirroring those of an actual person.

The art itself is described in vivid detail, with each piece evoking a different emotion or reaction from the cows. For example, the "black and white abstraction" causes the cows to "snort and paw the ground," while the "landscape of the mind" causes them to "smile and nod their heads."

Tone

The tone of Cows in Art Class is lighthearted and humorous, with Bukowski using the cows' reactions to the art as a way to poke fun at the pretentiousness of the art world. However, there is also a sense of sincerity in the poem, with Bukowski using the cows to show that even the most unexpected beings can appreciate the beauty of art.

Interpretation

Cows in Art Class can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's own experiences and perspectives. Some readers may see the poem as a commentary on the elitism of the art world, with Bukowski using the cows to mock the pretentiousness of art critics and scholars.

Others may see the poem as a celebration of the beauty of art, with Bukowski using the cows to show that even the most unexpected beings can appreciate and be moved by art.

Overall, the poem can be seen as a reminder of the importance of perspective and the beauty that can be found in even the most unexpected places.

Conclusion

Cows in Art Class is a unique and captivating poem that offers a fresh perspective on the world of art. Through the use of vivid imagery and a lighthearted tone, Bukowski shows that even the most unexpected beings can appreciate the beauty of art.

Whether you see the poem as a commentary on the elitism of the art world or a celebration of the beauty of art, one thing is clear: Cows in Art Class is a poem that will continue to be discussed and analyzed for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Cows In Art Class: A Masterpiece by Charles Bukowski

If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Charles Bukowski, the legendary poet who is known for his raw and unfiltered writing style. Bukowski's poems are often dark, gritty, and full of life's harsh realities. One of his most famous poems is "Poetry Cows In Art Class," a masterpiece that captures the essence of Bukowski's unique style.

The poem is a short but powerful piece that describes a group of cows in an art class. The cows are trying to paint, but they are struggling to create anything meaningful. Bukowski uses this metaphor to explore the struggles of the creative process and the challenges that artists face when trying to express themselves.

The poem begins with the line, "the cows are in the classroom again." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately creates a sense of unease and confusion. The reader is left wondering why cows are in an art class, and what they are doing there.

As the poem continues, Bukowski describes the cows' attempts to paint. He writes, "they are trying to paint pictures of cows / but they can't get the cows right." This line is a powerful metaphor for the struggles that artists face when trying to create something meaningful. The cows are trying to paint themselves, but they are unable to capture their own essence.

Bukowski goes on to describe the cows' frustration, writing, "they look at each other, / they moo, and they start crying." This line is a poignant reminder of the emotional toll that the creative process can take on artists. The cows are struggling to express themselves, and their frustration is palpable.

The poem then takes a dark turn, as Bukowski describes the cows' eventual fate. He writes, "the teacher comes in / and catches them, / and puts them in a field / where they won't hurt anyone anymore." This line is a powerful commentary on the way that society often treats artists. The cows are seen as a nuisance, and they are removed from the classroom and put out to pasture.

Despite the dark ending, "Poetry Cows In Art Class" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem. Bukowski uses the metaphor of cows in an art class to explore the struggles of the creative process and the challenges that artists face when trying to express themselves. The poem is a reminder that art is not always easy, and that the creative process can be fraught with frustration and disappointment.

In addition to its powerful message, "Poetry Cows In Art Class" is also a masterclass in poetry. Bukowski's writing style is raw and unfiltered, and his use of language is both powerful and evocative. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, and it is a testament to Bukowski's skill as a poet.

Overall, "Poetry Cows In Art Class" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the struggles of the creative process and the challenges that artists face when trying to express themselves. If you are a fan of poetry, then this is a must-read poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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