cleartonal (June 12, 2008 at 9:35 am)

insight is not pretentiousness, except for those who don't like to think about things... word-wanking is something else, and is pretentious. Analysis of others is always tempting, and usually wrong, but you can always tell when a raw nerve is touched by the strength of the response. Self-loathing is not art, it can be parlayed into art by reaching out and touching others by providing an insight into their own self-loathing. Art is communication and insight that sparks insight.

opchidexio (June 5, 2008 at 5:20 pm)

Mocked? Strange that you would ask such a question. Perhaps so. I think Bukowski had mixed feelings toward everyone. He loved them and then mocked them almost at the same time. But be honest. Don't most of us also do the same? About his humor: yes, I too am drawn by it.Love, hate, humor; the essence of Bukowski. Yes he mocks even his fans. But we are not offended by it! :P

beautiful0loser (May 24, 2008 at 6:42 pm)

Thanks for sharing this.

HeresToTheAdventure (May 22, 2008 at 3:33 am)

What would you do in a hypothetical situation?

supacunt (May 16, 2008 at 1:33 pm)

aahhh bukowski

TheMessageStupid (May 14, 2008 at 4:54 am)

I like Bukowski's humor in this at the end. It's terrific.Although interesting that he intserts the beating of the boy in the poem after stating that he was beat as a child, hence his stint on skid row. I'm glad cause I personally have trouble finding humor in my own childhood misappenings.I think though he would frown upon the fact the relate myself to him distantly, like I would a celebrity, just as he mocked the people who wrote to him in the poem. Does he mock them?

theygowild (May 1, 2008 at 7:07 pm)

Bukowski would laugh at the two of you. Arguing on the internet over... what? get over yourselves.This is one of his ironic "old man poems." In some ways, they're his best.

etuberalism (April 29, 2008 at 4:35 am)

wow man, thats....wierd.

RightWingCon81 (April 27, 2008 at 10:15 am)

Look everyone, now he wants to analyze me. You're right merlerutz, I do hate myself. I'm an angry young man, I hate life. I think I'm going to go to the bathroom, take a long hard look at myself then I will end my life. Not because I hate myself but because your pretentiousness is killing me slowly. I want to end it quick. When I go, sniff a glass of your own farts for me old friend. And remember the good times.

merlelutz (April 27, 2008 at 2:41 am)

never assume a thing about someone's military service....don't care....don't care what your sexual orientation might be....but your self-hate reeks from the screen.....it is getting old....very boring.....