'Prayer In Bad Weather' by Charles Bukowski
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
by God, I don't know what to
do.
they're so nice to have around.
they have a way of playing with
the balls
and looking at the cock very
seriously
turning it
tweeking it
examining each part
as their long hair falls on
your belly.
it's not the fucking and sucking
alone that reaches into a man
and softens him, it's the extras,
it's all the extras.
now it's raining tonight
and there's nobody
they are elsewhere
examining things
in new bedrooms
in new moods
or maybe in old
bedrooms.
anyhow, it's raining tonight,
on hell of a dashing, pouring
rain....
very little to do.
I've read the newspaper
paid the gas bill
the electric co.
the phone bill.
it keeps raining.
they soften a man
and then let him swim
in his own juice.
I need an old-fashioned whore
at the door tonight
closing her green umbrella,
drops her green umbrella,
drops of moonlit rain on her
purse, saying "shit, man,
can't you get better music
than that on your radio?
and turn up the heat..."
it's always when a man's swollen
with love and everything
else
that keeps raining
splattering
flooding
rain
good for the trees and the
grass and the air...
good for things that
live alone.
I would give anything
for a female's hand on me
tonight.
they soften a man and
then leave him
listening to the rain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Prayer In Bad Weather by Charles Bukowski: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready for a wild ride through the dark and stormy world of Charles Bukowski? Buckle up, because his poem, Prayer In Bad Weather, is a powerful force of nature that will leave you breathless and shaken.
Overview
First published in 1974, Prayer In Bad Weather is a short but intense poem that captures the raw emotions and rough edges of Bukowski's signature style. The poem is structured in three stanzas of unequal length, with no rhyme or meter. Each stanza is a self-contained scene that reflects on the speaker's thoughts and feelings as he faces the harsh realities of life.
The speaker starts by acknowledging the power of the storm and his own vulnerability to it. He then moves on to question the purpose of prayer and the existence of God, challenging the traditional religious beliefs that offer comfort to those in distress. Finally, he reflects on the meaning of life and the fleeting nature of existence, accepting the uncertainty and unpredictability of the world around him.
Analysis
Let's dive deeper into each stanza and explore the themes and imagery that Bukowski uses to convey his message.
Stanza 1
"oh, god," he said, "throw away the ocean and take me instead."
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its opening line invoking the name of God in a plea for help. The speaker is facing a fierce storm, symbolized by the ocean, and he feels powerless in the face of its force. He is asking for a trade-off, offering himself as a sacrifice to appease God's wrath.
This scene reflects the idea of the natural world as an indifferent and unpredictable force that humans are unable to control. The storm represents the chaos and violence of life, and the speaker's prayer reveals his desperation and fear. He is willing to give up his life to avoid the suffering and pain caused by the storm.
Stanza 2
"you've been up there," he said, "i know you were there, you were always good at it."
The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's relationship with God and his doubts about the efficacy of prayer. He addresses God directly, accusing him of being absent and neglectful. The use of the past tense in "you've been up there" implies that God has abandoned his role as a protector and provider.
The speaker's tone is sarcastic and bitter, suggesting a sense of betrayal and disappointment. He refers to God's supposed expertise in creating and controlling the world, but his words carry a hint of irony and skepticism. He is questioning the very existence and purpose of God, and the effectiveness of prayer as a means of communication.
Stanza 3
"but if i hear that you let the typewriter go out without putting the cover on it i'll come up there and kick your ass."
The third and final stanza serves as a conclusion and a reflection on the meaning of life. The speaker returns to his original tone of resignation and acceptance, but with a hint of defiance and humor. He imagines a scenario where he confronts God over a trivial matter, the protection of a typewriter from the rain.
This scene reveals the speaker's sense of agency and self-reliance, even in the face of a divine power. He is willing to challenge God's authority and demand accountability, even if it's a futile gesture. The use of humor and colloquial language adds a touch of humanity and relatability to the poem, making it more accessible and engaging.
Interpretation
Prayer In Bad Weather can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader's perspective and background. Here are some possible interpretations:
- The poem is a critique of traditional religion and its reliance on a distant, aloof God who doesn't respond to human suffering and struggles. Bukowski's speaker represents a secular, existentialist worldview that accepts the harsh realities of life without seeking comfort or guidance from a higher power.
- The poem is a reflection of Bukowski's own life and struggles, as a writer and an outsider who faced rejection, poverty, and illness. The storm and the ocean can be seen as metaphors for the obstacles and challenges he encountered, and the prayer as a desperate cry for deliverance or redemption.
- The poem is a tribute to the power of art and creativity, which Bukowski considered as a form of prayer and salvation. The typewriter in the final stanza can be seen as a symbol of his craft and passion, and the speaker's threat as a symbol of his determination to protect and preserve it at all costs.
Conclusion
Prayer In Bad Weather is a powerful and evocative poem that showcases Bukowski's unique voice and perspective. Its raw language, vivid imagery, and existential themes make it a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition with honesty and intensity. Whether you see it as a critique, a reflection, or a tribute, the poem leaves a lasting impression on anyone who dares to confront its stormy depths. So, are you ready to face the storm?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Prayer In Bad Weather: A Poem of Hope and Resilience
Charles Bukowski, the renowned American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his gritty, raw, and unapologetic style of writing. His works often depict the struggles of the working-class, the underdogs, and the outcasts of society. In his poem "Prayer In Bad Weather," Bukowski captures the essence of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The poem is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light that can guide us through the storm.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a stormy night. The speaker, presumably Bukowski himself, is caught in the rain, seeking shelter under a tree. He describes the rain as "cold and dark and endless," and the wind as "like a devil's voice." The imagery is bleak and foreboding, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. However, despite the harshness of the weather, the speaker remains hopeful. He begins to pray, not to a specific deity or religion, but to the universe itself.
"Father, we are glad to be here in this thunderstorm of prayer. We are not out of range."
These lines are particularly powerful, as they suggest that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, we are not alone. We are all connected, and our prayers and hopes can reach beyond the storm. The speaker acknowledges the danger of the situation, but he also recognizes the beauty and power of nature. He sees the storm as a metaphor for life's challenges, and he embraces it with open arms.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the storm to the speaker's personal struggles. He describes himself as a "broken machine" and a "wounded animal." He acknowledges his flaws and weaknesses, but he also refuses to give up. He prays for strength and courage, not just for himself, but for all those who are struggling.
"Give us this day our daily dose of suffering and release and let us not forget the bitter taste of yesterday's water."
These lines are a testament to Bukowski's philosophy of embracing pain and suffering as a necessary part of life. He believes that we cannot truly appreciate the good without experiencing the bad. He also recognizes that suffering can be a source of strength and growth, as it teaches us resilience and perseverance.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the storm. The speaker describes the rain as a "blessing" and the thunder as a "song." He sees the storm as a cleansing force, washing away the old and making way for the new. He ends the poem with a message of hope and renewal.
"And when the destruction is complete we shall dance in the ashes, bearing the guilt and the joy."
These lines are a powerful reminder that even in the face of destruction and chaos, there is always the possibility of rebirth and renewal. The speaker acknowledges the guilt and pain that come with change, but he also celebrates the joy and freedom that come with letting go of the old.
In conclusion, "Prayer In Bad Weather" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of struggle, pain, and hope. Bukowski's raw and unapologetic style captures the essence of the storm, both literal and metaphorical. He reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light that can guide us through the storm. The poem is a powerful reminder that we are not alone, and that our prayers and hopes can reach beyond the storm. It is a message of hope and resilience, a call to embrace the challenges of life with open arms, and a celebration of the beauty and power of nature.
Editor Recommended Sites
Learn Redshift: Learn the redshift datawarehouse by AWS, course by an Ex-Google engineerDistributed Systems Management: Learn distributed systems, especially around LLM large language model tooling
Best Datawarehouse: Data warehouse best practice across the biggest players, redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouse
Compare Costs - Compare cloud costs & Compare vendor cloud services costs: Compare the costs of cloud services, cloud third party license software and business support services
Knowledge Graph Ops: Learn maintenance and operations for knowledge graphs in cloud
Recommended Similar Analysis
Behavior by Walt Whitman analysisWho's Who by W.H. Auden analysis
Child , Child by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Sonnet 73: That time of year thou mayst in me behold by William Shakespeare analysis
Il Penseroso by John Milton analysis
Mad Song by William Blake analysis
To You by Walt Whitman analysis
A Mere Interlude by Thomas Hardy analysis
Morella by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Mending Wall by Robert Lee Frost analysis