Bluebird

there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see
you.
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he's
in there.

there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess
me up?
you want to screw up the
works?
you want to blow my book sales in
Europe?
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too clever, I only let him out
at night sometimes
when everybody's asleep.
I say, I know that you're there,
so don't be
sad.
then I put him back,
but he's singing a little
in there, I haven't quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our
secret pact
and it's nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don't
weep, do
you?

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Analysis (ai): Blue is a classic example of the autobiographical style that was common during the 1960s. It is a raw and honest work that doesn't shy away from complex and difficult subjects. Like the other works of the same author, it is also self-critical and a meditation on the struggles of the human soul.

Blue is a work that stands out from the works of the author's other works and is a significant contribution to the literature of the 1960s. It is a work that is an important and unique in its own way. (hide)
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3438 likes
To reply, click a comment.
EssenceLove - it sucks to hide someone from the world. to hide you feelings from yourself. this poem gave me a weird nostalgic feeling. thanks.
on Dec 30 2024 05:46 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Chesa liwayway - I love it so much!!
on Dec 30 2024 03:24 AM PST   x  edit  
Narmeenwalid - Beautiful writing! And awesome description
on Dec 29 2024 09:35 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Psychovert - ← This poem is truly amazing in potraying the emotions in which we present the false facade of us to others hiding out vulnerable side. I love it.
on Sep 08 2024 08:14 AM PST   x  edit  
Psychovert - Blue bird, perhaps the embodiment of vulnerability of many which they hide from world to not be an object of mockery.
on Dec 27 2024 11:52 AM PST   x  edit  
Aeonian - Beautifullycraftedpoetrythattouches    hearts
on Dec 25 2024 03:33 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Zeina1 - I love it !!
on Dec 24 2024 02:13 PM PST   x  edit  
Zarathustra9 - i fucking love it
on Dec 21 2024 11:29 PM PST   x  edit  
Abigail.Guillen - Love what it awoke in me, great concept!
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Dec 18 2024 07:40 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Zarathustra9
Akira.727 - i love this concept.
on Dec 18 2024 07:10 PM PST   x  edit  
White Lion - Really got me thinking. Lobe it
on Dec 18 2024 12:51 PM PST   x  edit  
R. K. Potter - The meaning is so deep. The word are so accurate and precisely choosen.. It's really a great poem I liked it very much. I will be taking lots of inspiration from this poem to enlighten my writing skills. Thanks
on Dec 18 2024 08:43 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
O.S.writes - This is so deep and well thought out, I love the concept x
on Dec 12 2024 08:01 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
TomBoittiaux - I weep maybe once a year. Good poem btw
on Dec 11 2024 02:58 PM PST   x  edit  
Stacie Lewis - Amazing wow, what an amazing poem, great work.
on Dec 11 2024 11:40 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Loulove28 - Lovely
on Dec 11 2024 11:06 AM PST   x  edit  
McreeMcree - i need to comment so i can write a poem
Liked: Some random dude • on Dec 09 2024 04:20 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Some random dude
Feels - yeah me too lol
Liked: Some random dude • on Dec 17 2024 07:56 AM PST   x  edit   Some random dude
TheUnseenPoet - Incredible read. Wow. I agree with the majority of the comments... Amazing.
on Dec 08 2024 05:09 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Maelasays - This was truly enjoyable

Inspired.
on Dec 08 2024 04:57 PM PST   x  edit  
Lindisho - Is the blue bird his conscience?
on Dec 04 2024 01:48 AM PST   x  edit  
Anirban Dutta Banik - "As words danced on the canvas of your soul, 'Whispers of the Heart' was born, a symphony of love, a brushstroke of divine beauty."
on Dec 03 2024 05:52 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Flower12 - Calling women whores shows a sick mind
on Dec 02 2024 04:18 AM PST   x  edit  
Naira128 - Whore is a profession. And women in that profession are called whores. It's a profession that lifted many families out of poverty. He's not calling all women whores.
on Dec 05 2024 01:45 AM PST   x  edit  
Flower12 - He could have said sex workers or been respectful.
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Dec 08 2024 04:49 PM PST   x  edit   Zarathustra9
Zarathustra9 - yes, "whore" is an appellation, not a profession
on Dec 21 2024 11:25 PM PST   x  edit  
Flower12 - Thank you for the clarification.
on Dec 22 2024 01:59 AM PST   x  edit  
Hal-incandenza - So good
on Nov 30 2024 09:12 PM PST   x  edit  
Kingclusia09 - That's awesome
on Nov 30 2024 02:56 PM PST   x  edit  
Nick Legg - Very well written
on Nov 28 2024 05:27 PM PST   x  edit  
Wordsinthewind5 - I love this poem, very good ❤️
on Nov 27 2024 09:25 PM PST   x  edit  
Alfie927 - Legendary
on Nov 24 2024 06:26 PM PST   x  edit  
Christine Marie - Well there's a bluebird on my shoulder like a chip since the bluebird represents institutions n slavery zippity doo dah day
on Nov 23 2024 03:48 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Fluffywaffle - Woahhhh love this 🤩🤩 prob best poem I've ever read
on Nov 22 2024 01:17 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Olachi Akachi-Odoemene - Wow, this was uplifting and touching.
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Nov 22 2024 07:25 AM PST   x  edit   Zarathustra9
ForgivenSilver - Pure brilliance
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Nov 19 2024 01:56 PM PST   x  edit   Zarathustra9
Danielle Opie - Wow. The way this is written - the rhythm, the rhyme, the way it draws you in... the bluebird. Spectacular.
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Nov 19 2024 07:35 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Zarathustra9
Cyrus Veil - Just amazing. Words can't express how amazing this poem is.
on Nov 18 2024 03:25 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Jake Tijerina - That was very deep. A man so bad that she only visits him sometimes at night. Exquisite

Amazing
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Nov 18 2024 07:35 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Zarathustra9
Blakesley - I love this. The words chosen are beautiful the placement of feelings expressed ate amazing.

Lovely!
on Nov 13 2024 07:34 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Bluebellsring - Love this, this is so poignant, boys don't cry?
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Nov 13 2024 03:45 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Zarathustra9
Daniel Ryan Cotler - Amazing
on Nov 12 2024 07:41 PM PST   x  edit  
Noaddo - Amazing

Amazing
on Nov 12 2024 05:55 PM PST   x  edit  
Bläckspær - Beautiful imagery,  i loved it
on Nov 12 2024 12:54 PM PST   x  edit  
Fro0st - amazing
on Nov 11 2024 09:52 AM PST   x  edit  
ChristmasAddict - This poem really shows the struggles some are experiencing but others may never know about, well done!
on Nov 10 2024 12:53 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Stacey819 - Beautiful work
on Nov 10 2024 01:57 AM PST   x  edit  
RosePoetry2 - A really powerful piece, thank you for sharing!
on Nov 09 2024 04:26 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Alam Muliawan - It is Really inspiring for me, and thank you so much for that Mr Charles Bukowski😊
on Nov 09 2024 07:03 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Titi Lope - I really appreciate how this poem captures the difficulty of holding in emotions that are trying to break free.
on Nov 08 2024 03:22 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Storyteller6 - Sweet words
on Nov 07 2024 07:43 PM PST   x  edit  
MidnightCloudWatcher - I do weep at this. Openly because it cannot be hidden at times and in secret alone. Or I did. At some point you run out of the tears but the feelings remain there.
on Nov 06 2024 02:14 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
ConstellationTau - ← Top tweenty of his
on Apr 23 2024 11:59 PM PST   x  edit  
ConstellationTau - We are all bluebirds
on Nov 05 2024 10:56 PM PST   x  edit  
Corbett - One of the best modern poetry of all time.  Legendary.
on Nov 04 2024 12:57 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Cinch - Great one That's super great .

Keep up the beautiful work
on Nov 04 2024 04:13 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Helen Harry Henry - I can't help but think of my dad while reading this. I was raised by a single father. He was tough. Real tough. Like you. But I feel like he was also misunderstood. I was the one who got to see his true identity, when he freed the blue bird down in the basement, while he thought I lay in my room asleep. I would listen to him talk out loud. He would get out his hurts and pains and tears while he smoked his cigars and drank his beer. I got to see what truly hid inside, and tho it was sad, it was beautiful, becuase I knew my father wasnt  the moster he wanted everyone else to believe he was. He was like you, afraid to open the cage in public, so he kept it trapped most days, except on the days he thought I was asleep. Im glad the insomnia that developed at such a young age was one of the reasons he was able to truly be seen by me. It's easy to keep baby blue in a cage but what's truly deserving of credit is the courage that it takes to open the gate.

-AT
Liked: Kh i, Lea Knowles, Ilia Likakis • on Nov 03 2024 06:16 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Kh i Lea Knowles Ilia Likakis
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AbsentTie76 - Classic c:
on Nov 01 2024 05:15 AM PST   x  edit  
StrangeBuddy - Lovely poem.It inspired me a lot.
on Nov 01 2024 02:55 AM PST   x  edit  
The Archives of Kayla - Bluebird is truly lovely

Lovely share
on Oct 28 2024 04:50 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Plixy. - For I don't weep, cause I see the true bluebird
Inspight of restless fright.
on Oct 27 2024 04:57 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Itsmedymm - Amazing piece of work ..
on Oct 24 2024 11:26 AM PST   x  edit  
Symphony8 - I remember this poem from a high school project that I had done. I am always intrigued by this piece because for me, the blue bird where the heart  is, a metaphor, and it is really easy to have a sick minded heart. I used to read this with friends in the field smoking and talk about it for hours. Thank you for putting this here.
on Oct 23 2024 07:23 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
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Beraiah - Wish I could
on Oct 23 2024 10:58 AM PST   x  edit  
Spenz - Very metaphorical expressions. Very creative skills
on Oct 22 2024 01:55 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Heart Stealer - What about the Porta potty? We could go landsliding in a waterfall of chocolate... Nobody would even notice but the pigs.
on Oct 22 2024 12:02 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Oana G. Petrican - Beautiful!
on Oct 18 2024 11:07 PM PST   x  edit  
Aiz - Wow.
on Oct 18 2024 11:02 PM PST   x  edit  
M. Santosa - This poem has a lot of weight.
on Oct 18 2024 05:35 PM PST   x  edit  
From a brother - A really powerful piece
on Oct 18 2024 11:17 AM PST   x  edit  
Anaghajs - Amazing, loved this!

Amazing
on Oct 16 2024 02:08 AM PST   x  edit  
Delaney96 - Ending is good
on Oct 13 2024 12:25 AM PST   x  edit  
Mila Esmé - wow this is beautiful
on Oct 12 2024 12:44 PM PST   x  edit  
ElspethMcLugnut - Unpopular opinion here: I’ve read most of Bukowski’s work and have laughed heartily at his sometimes profound and funny insights. I don’t think this is his best work. I see it more as an excuse in poem form—the equivalent of shrugging “boys will be boys!” It’s a bit of a boomer for me… a self-indulgent take on masculinity. Happy it speaks to others though!
Liked: Zarathustra9 • on Oct 11 2024 07:40 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit   Zarathustra9
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Zarathustra9 - interesting take!
on Dec 21 2024 11:33 PM PST   x  edit  
Tobunculus - Bukowski, in my opinion, was neither the best poet nor the most valiant one, yet the vulnerability displayed in-between the bouts of self-indulgence is interesting, considering the life he led. You mentioned boomers, and the comparison rings true! And yet, I think there are few boomer men alive today that would ever publicly express softness in the way this poem does.

Putting aside my advocacy, I think there is some falsity in this poem's vulnerability. I also think it's rather blunt and he doesn't make much of a point. The bluebird metaphor is a one-trick pony that doesn't do a particularly impressive trick anyway. While discussing the poem with my girlfriend she pointed out that, while we agree that the poem is bad, the last stanza was a little better than the rest.
Liked: Elspeth McGethin • on Oct 14 2024 11:13 PM PST   x  edit   Elspeth McGethin
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Elspeth McGethin - Just seeing your reply and agree: you’ve pinpointed why I can’t abide this one. It hinges on a sour note of falsity, yeah, and maybe the most egregious kind of falsity—one posing as profound truth. The vulnerable and magical little bluebird we glimpse in his work from time to time between bouts of bombast deserved better.
on Oct 26 2024 04:35 AM PST   x  edit  
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Khay4 - Hard felt poem. Really shows the real you trying to break out but you won't let anyone see to keep them viewing you as the strongest stone no one can break
on Oct 10 2024 03:24 PM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Vandhuukumar - Be yourself.
on Oct 09 2024 06:11 PM PST   x  edit  
Vandhuukumar - Good feeling.
on Dec 13 2024 02:42 PM PST   x  edit  
Vandhuukumar - Brilliant idea.
on Dec 09 2024 03:12 PM PST   x  edit  
Vandhuukumar - Nice.
on Nov 10 2024 05:21 PM PST   x  edit  
Vandhuukumar - Good feeling.
on Nov 03 2024 01:44 PM PST   x  edit  
Vandhuukumar - Goodjob
on Oct 14 2024 02:20 PM PST   x  edit  
Jank - The poem explores the concept of emotional repression and the struggle to maintain a tough exterior. The speaker, seemingly a man, describes a metaphorical bluebird trapped within his heart. This bluebird represents his gentler, more vulnerable self. The overall tone is melancholic, tinged with a sense of loneliness and longing.
on Oct 07 2024 12:02 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
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Skintech53 - Is wack! But after you shed light upon my tiny brain, it grew a little. Yep! There is DEFINITELY a few more wrinkles on it! And now I can appreciate this piece! Thanks for that!
on Oct 13 2024 09:42 AM PST   x  edit  
Skintech53 - Jank, Thanks for clarifying. I was like "This shit
on Oct 13 2024 09:34 AM PST   x  edit  
Maverickpen - Good work
on Oct 05 2024 02:59 AM PST   x  edit  
Amara Six - Emotions attached to this, I can't really comprehend but a fact I know is that the author was also afraid of losing the blue bird.

Great
on Oct 04 2024 11:15 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Feels - amazing! I loved reading this

Good job
on Oct 04 2024 09:50 AM PST   x rate: , ,     skip edit  
Feels - ive never heard of this poet before.. wonderful poem
on Nov 11 2024 07:57 AM PST   x  edit  
Feels - amazing poem
on Oct 09 2024 09:05 AM PST   x  edit  
Corpse Doll - (Portuguese translation) um....inspirational...

(original) um....inspirational...
on Sep 29 2024 07:37 PM PST   x  edit  
Intherosefield - this def is felt through
on Sep 28 2024 07:37 AM PST   x  edit  
Ernest Sakpaku - Great 😃
on Sep 27 2024 01:24 AM PST   x  edit  
Ese's poetry - A  great piece., I enjoyed it

Inspired!
on Sep 26 2024 11:39 AM PST   x  edit  
Joslay - How inspiring

Enjoyed it
on Sep 25 2024 04:47 PM PST   x  edit  

Comments from the archive

- From guest Dex (contact)
The only Bukowski poem that made me cry. He said so much in this tiny poem. Thanks, Hank.
on Apr 25 2010 11:49 PM PST   x  edit  
- From guest David (contact)
We all have blue bird inside us...
on Feb 12 2010 09:58 AM PST   x  edit  
- From guest Alexia Donnelly (contact)
wow my teacher ms.kern introduced the class to peotry, and when the class read this poem i could see a man with a bluebird right next to him at night and i also imagined him opening and hole in his chest and pertching it on a bar in the morning. it jus ttold me that he realy needed someone to talk to about his feelings. my teacher told us that he was a verry cranky man. then once i read the line "you want to blow my book sales in/Europe?" i figured out that the only resson he was cranky was because he wanted people to by his books to figure out why he is so cranky, but they never figure it out. this is just an amazing poem!!!
on Feb 10 2010 12:21 PM PST   x  edit  
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- From guest laura (contact)
it makes me cry everytime i read it because i, too, have a bluebird in my heart. sometimes i read the poem just so i CAN cry. it's so real, so open, i love hank!!
on Jan 01 2010 02:25 AM PST   x  edit  
- From guest yasmin (contact)
that was......he is..im really speachless he is right
on Dec 31 2009 05:42 PM PST   x  edit  
Stirrer of Stardust - Whoa. That's powerful. Really glad a friend pointed me in this direction.....

ya All-Ways, ~ Jan ~
on Oct 18 2009 03:28 PM PST   x  edit  
Griswold - Bukowski just plain rocks. He has to be one of my favorites just because he is so right in your face about his writing. I do that too, what good are pretty words covering up a crazy world? You can pretty anything up with gold leaf but it's still shit under it.
on Oct 13 2009 05:11 AM PST   x  edit  
- I think, I'll have a bit more wine. Please stay Charles, and read one more..
on Jun 21 2009 06:26 PM PST   x  edit  
- From guest Willem van Ekeren (contact)
Me too, I like that poem a lot, I even made a Bach-Bukowski song out of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oMZdrr1zMI
on Apr 15 2009 10:42 AM PST   x  edit  
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- From guest dave (contact)
wonderful
on Aug 23 2008 11:20 AM PST   x  edit  
- From guest crook (contact)
You really do have to here that man's voice
on Aug 22 2008 07:18 AM PST   x  edit  
Trystan - I do love your poetry Buk. It's simple but filled with emotion. You're the best.
on Jul 15 2008 01:01 AM PST   x  edit  
- From guest Alan G (contact)
How I love this one, the writing alone is great and very colorful, but the reading by Bukowski was much more then great. google for it, the piece comes alive while he's reading it.
on Nov 02 2007 07:22 PM PST   x  edit  
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- From guest Chris Bittar (contact)
Bukowski The Great . His stories,his essays,his rhetoric and his ramblings. They all have a coherent truth. Only a few truly know the struggle to keep the bluebird inside. This particular work has always hit home. " If there is a heaven and god I hope there is. He's up there right now drunk as a fuckin' monkey and smokin' shit"
on Oct 08 2007 06:41 AM PST   x  edit  
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- From guest sandra johnson (contact)
if i remembered how to cry i think i might have a little because this poem made the back of my eyelids feel hot. especially when he tells the bluebird not to be sad because he knows he's in there.
on Aug 10 2007 07:03 PM PST   x  edit  
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