'Another Day' by Charles Bukowski


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having the low down blues and going
into a restraunt to eat.
you sit at a table.
the waitress smiles at you.
she's dumpy. her ass is too big.
she radiates kindess and symphaty.
live with her 3 months and a man would no real agony.
o.k., you'll tip her 15 percent.
you order a turkey sandwich and a
beer.
the man at the table across from you
has watery blue eyes and
a head like an elephant.
at a table further down are 3 men
with very tiny heads
and long necks
like ostiches.
they talk loudly of land development.
why, you think, did I ever come
in here when I have the low-down
blues?
then the the waitress comes back eith the sandwich
and she asks you if there will be anything
else?
snd you tell her, no no, this will be
fine.
then somebody behind you laughs.
it's a cork laugh filled with sand and
broken glass.

you begin eating the sandwhich.

it's something.
it's a minor, difficult,
sensible action
like composing a popular song
to make a 14-year old
weep.
you order another beer.
jesus,look at that guy
his hands hang down almost to his knees and he's
whistling.
well, time to get out.
pivk up the bill.
tip.
go to the register.
pay.
pick up a toothpick.
go out the door.
your car is still there.
and there are 3 men with heads
and necks
like ostriches all getting into one
car.
they each have a toothpick and now
they are talking about women.
they drive away first
they drive away fast.
they're best i guess.
it's an unberably hot day.
there's a first-stage smog alert.
all the birds and plants are dead
or dying.

you start the engine.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Another Day by Charles Bukowski

Have you ever encountered a poem that hits you like a brick? A poem that doesn't use complex language or fancy metaphors, but still manages to evoke a myriad of emotions? That's what Charles Bukowski's Another Day does. In just twenty-one lines, Bukowski strips away the facade of mundane existence and exposes the raw reality of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve deeper into the themes, metaphors, and language used in Another Day and try to understand why it's considered a classic.

Context

Before we begin analyzing the poem, it's essential to understand the context in which Bukowski wrote Another Day. Bukowski, born in Germany in 1920, grew up in poverty and experienced a tumultuous childhood. He moved to the United States in the 1940s and spent most of his life working menial jobs while simultaneously writing and publishing poetry and fiction. Bukowski's writing often depicted the gritty reality of life, including its darker aspects such as alcoholism, poverty, and violence. Bukowski's style was often described as raw, honest, and unapologetic.

Another Day was published in Bukowski's 1972 collection, Love Is a Dog From Hell. The collection is considered one of Bukowski's best works and contains many of his most famous poems, including Bluebird and The Crunch.

Themes

At its core, Another Day is a poem about the monotony of life. It's about waking up every day, going through the same motions, and feeling empty at the end of it all. Bukowski highlights this theme through his use of repetition and imagery.

The first line of Another Day sets the tone for the entire poem: "I get up from the bed and walk it off." The speaker is not excited or eager to start the day; they're simply going through the motions. The phrase "walk it off" implies that the speaker is trying to shake off some physical or emotional pain, but we're not told what that pain is. It could be a hangover, physical exhaustion, or simply the weight of existence.

The second line reinforces this idea of monotony: "I wash myself and shave and comb my hair." These are all routine actions that we do every day without really thinking about them. The speaker doesn't describe these actions in any detail; they're just another part of the daily grind.

The third line, however, introduces a glimmer of hope: "I drink my coffee and smoke a cigarette." The speaker has a routine, but they also have something that makes the day slightly more bearable. Coffee and cigarettes are often associated with writers, and it's possible that Bukowski's own habits influenced this line. Regardless, the fact that the speaker mentions these two things specifically shows that they're important to him.

The fourth line returns to the theme of monotony: "I walk out the door and catch the bus." The speaker is leaving their home, but it's not clear where they're going. They're simply catching the bus, another routine action.

The fifth and sixth lines introduce a new element: "The driver nods, a radio / is playing something, and the sun / is coming up." The radio and the sunrise are both things that are beyond the speaker's control. They're reminders that the world is still turning, even if the speaker feels stuck in their routine. The fact that the driver nods implies that the speaker has a routine relationship with this person, but there's no hint of any deeper connection.

The seventh and eighth lines bring us back to the routine: "I ride the bus to work / and when I get there, I punch the clock." The fact that the speaker says they "ride the bus to work" implies that this is something they've done many times before. Punching the clock is another routine action that we do without really thinking about it.

The final three lines are perhaps the most powerful: "I sit down and stare at the typewriter / a spider hangs from the ceiling / and I wonder how I'll ever get out of this." The speaker has arrived at work, but there's no sense of purpose or motivation. They're simply staring at the typewriter, waiting for something to happen. The spider hanging from the ceiling is a metaphor for the speaker's own situation: they're trapped, and they don't know how to escape.

Metaphors

Bukowski's use of metaphors in Another Day is subtle but effective. The spider hanging from the ceiling is one example, but there are others. The most apparent is the comparison between the speaker's routine and the routine of a factory worker. The speaker "catches the bus," "punches the clock," and "sits down" to work. These are all actions that a factory worker might do, and it reinforces the idea that the speaker's life is monotonous and unfulfilling.

Another metaphor is the comparison between the speaker's routine and the rising sun. The sun is something that's beautiful and powerful, but it's also something that we take for granted. We assume that it will rise every day, just like we assume that we'll wake up every day and go through the same routine. The fact that the speaker mentions the sun at the same time as the radio and the bus driver implies that these things are all part of the same cycle.

Language

Bukowski's language in Another Day is simple and direct. There are no complex metaphors or poetic language, but this simplicity is what makes the poem so powerful. Bukowski's use of repetition reinforces the idea of monotony, and the fact that he doesn't use any fancy language makes the poem feel more honest and authentic.

One thing that's worth noting is that Bukowski often used profanity in his poetry and fiction. Another Day doesn't contain any explicit language, but the word "crap" is used twice. This word reinforces the idea that the speaker's life is unfulfilling and unsatisfying.

Conclusion

Another Day is a poem that captures the essence of Bukowski's writing. It's raw, honest, and unapologetic. The poem speaks to anyone who feels trapped in a routine, anyone who feels like they're going through the motions without really living. Bukowski's use of repetition and simple language reinforces the theme of monotony, and his metaphors add depth to the poem. Another Day may not be a long or complex poem, but it's a masterpiece of modern poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Another Day: A Poem by Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski is a poet who is known for his gritty, raw, and unapologetic style. His poems often deal with themes of loneliness, alcoholism, and the struggles of everyday life. One of his most famous poems, "Another Day," is a perfect example of his style and themes.

The poem begins with the line "I see old people everywhere," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Bukowski is observing the world around him, and what he sees is a world full of aging and decay. He goes on to describe the old people he sees, saying that they "walk slowly, bent over, / their faces etched with lines."

This description is not a flattering one, but it is an honest one. Bukowski is not trying to romanticize old age or make it seem like something to aspire to. Instead, he is acknowledging the reality of aging and the toll it takes on the body and mind.

The next stanza of the poem shifts focus to Bukowski himself. He says that he is "not old yet," but he can feel himself getting there. He describes his own body as "a little slower, a little weaker," and he knows that he will soon be one of the old people he sees around him.

This realization is a sobering one, and it leads Bukowski to reflect on his life and the choices he has made. He says that he has "lived too long with pain," and he wonders if it was all worth it. He thinks about the women he has loved and lost, the jobs he has hated, and the alcohol he has consumed.

Despite these regrets, Bukowski is not a man who wallows in self-pity. He acknowledges his mistakes and his flaws, but he also recognizes that he is still alive and still has time to make the most of his life. He says that he will "keep moving, keep trying," and he will not give up until he is dead.

This determination is what sets Bukowski apart from many other poets. He is not content to simply observe the world around him and write about it. He is an active participant in his own life, and he is constantly striving to improve himself and his situation.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful one. Bukowski says that he will "die someday," but he will not go quietly. He will "rage against the dying of the light," and he will fight until the very end.

This line is a reference to the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, which is about the struggle to hold onto life in the face of death. Bukowski is echoing that sentiment here, and he is saying that he will not go gentle into that good night. He will fight until the very end, and he will not give up.

In conclusion, "Another Day" is a powerful and honest poem about aging, regret, and determination. Bukowski's raw and unapologetic style is on full display here, and he does not shy away from the harsh realities of life. However, he also shows a resilience and a determination to keep going, no matter what life throws his way. This is what makes Bukowski such a compelling poet, and "Another Day" is a perfect example of his unique voice and perspective.

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