The Laughing Heart

It’s true: the grizzled “laureate of American lowlife” Charles Bukowski often used his sharp tongue to viciously lambast those close to him. But damn if he didn’t also pen some of the most uplifting and hopeful poetry of the 20th century. Here’s “The Laughing Heart” as read by another (decidedly kinder, gentler) grizzled laureate of American lowlife, Mister Tom Waits.


(Via Viggie, with thanks.)

The Laughing Heart

your 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.

–Charles Bukowski

9 Responses to “The Laughing Heart”

  1. Tertiary Says:

    Very lovely. Bukowski is a great picture of humanity, I think.
    The best and worst.
    Another little tidbit:

    http://thedistantone.tumblr.com/post/651850141/in-response-to-coilhouse-my-own-little-snapshot

  2. Aissatan Says:

    He does an awesome reading of Bukowski’s Nirvana on the album Orphans too… it’s one of my favorite listens. <3

  3. Nadya Says:

    That made my night, Mer.

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  5. sadnessv Says:

    beautiful…thanks

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  8. zethomson Says:

    i’d almost forgotten that not everything is sh1t. maravilhoso!

  9. Dedalus Root » Blog Archive » The Laughing Heart Says:

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