I am no huge fan of Bukowski; that arrogant, anarchist and defiant anti-hero battling the literary elite. He was a dirty, dirty man by all accounts. But the poem in question 'The Laughing Heart' that makes its appearance in the latest Levis commercial is a work of staggering tenderness and innate beauty.
The Laughing Heart -
by Charles Bukowski
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 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.
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.
The company has chosen his words as the new anthem for today’s denim wearing generation.
Frankly, I can't blame them. It is a brilliant idea.
It seems to enforce the belief that the new definition of cool is to own a pair of jeans that tells the world you believe in Bulowski's view of a better future .'Your life is your life...' does sear through the brains of the impressionable lamb-like youth who own 75 pairs of jeans already.More Jeans. More Poetry.
The world is a happy place. :)
8 comments:
It sounds so corny and new-agey in the ad..cannot believe it comes from the raw, searing Bukowski of all people!
Guess it's the thought that it's being used to sell a few pairs of jeans that gets in the way of the words.
I just realized the same words in different contexts take on startlingly different amounts of significance.
i saw that add, didn't know its origin...it fits perfectly :)
This poem is soo beautiful:)
The poetry matters to me, since the man is now gone. Let his errs be interred with him and his words be reflected in/on denims.
Nice poem.
Cheers,
Blasphemous Aesthete
The words are nice and in complete sync with the Add! :)
Yes, Astonishing indeed!
Love, Risha :)
Really astounding :)
I love these new stream of ads coming of late. Also check out the Mahindra "Rise" one.
My first visit, will visit you again. Enjoyed the post, loved the read. Great poem!Thanks for sharing! If you wish to follow back that would be great I'm at http://nelsonsouzza.blogspot.com
Have a lovely new week!
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