Brain Food #692

The more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be

Thoughts of the day

Today, a short poem by Charles Bukowski, although a few of you might raise your eyebrows at calling Bukowski a poet.

Sometimes there are things we all need to hear, and art, poetry, literature, do just that, freely, and without expectations. Verging on the existential, the poem serves as a reminder that we are all, ultimately, in control of the direction of our lives.

The Laughing Heart
by Charles Bukowski

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is 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.

Sunrise from the International Space Station. Somewhere between light and dark lies life itself.

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