The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good, very good when you are near or with them.
Charles Bukowski

by Kate Knapp Johnson

Half the day lost, staring
at this window. I wanted to know
just one true thing

about the soul, but I left thinking
for thought, and now –
two inches of snow have fallen

over the meadow. Where did I go,
how long was I out looking
for you?, who would never leave me,
my withness, my here.

x-pug

By Charles Bukowski

he hooked to the body hard

took it well

and loved to fight

had seven in a row and a small fleck

over one eye,

and then he met a kid from Camden

with arms thin as wires—

it was a good one,

the safe lions roared and threw money;

they were both up and down many times,

but he lost that one

and he lost the rematch

in which neither of them fought at all,

hanging on to each other like lovers through the boos,

and now he’s over at Mike’s

changing tires and oil and batteries,

the fleck over the eye

still young,

but you don’t ask him,

you don’t ask him anything

except maybe

you think it’s going to rain?

you think the sun’s gonna come out?

to which he’ll usually answer

hell no,

but you’ll have your important tank of gas

and drive off.

Tag: The Meadow by Kate Knapp Johnson