The Crunch by Charles Bukowski

Music: Jóhann Jóhannsson - The Rocket Builder (Lo Pan!)
Speaker: Tom O' Bedlam (SpokenVerse)
Full poem:
too much
too little
or not enough
too fat
too thin
or nobody
laughter or
tears
or immaculate
non-concern
haters
lovers
armies running through streets of blood
waving winebottles
bayoneting and fucking virgins
or an old guy in a cheap room
with a photograph of Marilyn Monroe
many old guys in cheap rooms without
any photographs at all
many old women rubbing rosaries
when they'd prefer to be rubbing cocks
there is a loneliness in this world so great
that you can see it in the slow movements of
the hands of a clock
there is a loneliness in this world so great
that you can see it blinking in neon signs
in Vegas, in Baltimore, in Munich
there are people so tired
so strafed
so mutilated by love or no
love
that buying a bargain can of tuna
in a supermarket
is their greatest moment
their greatest victory
we don't need new governments
new revolutions
we don't need new men
new women
we don't need new ways
wife-swaps
waterbeds
good Columbian
coke
water pipes
dildoes
rubbers with corkscrew stems
watches that give you the date
people are not good to each other
one on one.
Marx be damned
the sin is not the totality of certain systems.
Christianity be damned
the sin is not the killing of a God.
people are just not good to each other.
we are afraid
we think that hatred means strength
we think that New York City is the greatest
city in America.
what we need is less brilliance
what we need is less instruction
what we need are less poets
what we need are less Bukowskies
what we need are less Billy Grahams
what we need is more
beer
a typist
more finches
more green-eyed whores who don't eat your heart
like a vitamin pill
we don't think about the terror of one person
aching in one place
alone
untouched
unspoken to
watering a plant
being without a telephone that will never
ring
because there isn't one.
more haters than lovers
slices of doom like taffeta
people are not good to each other
people are not good to each other
people are not good to each other
and the beads swing and the clouds cloud
and the dogs piss upon the roses
and the killer beheads the child like taking a bite
out of an ice cream cone
and the ocean comes in and out
in and out
under the direction of a senseless moon
and people are not good to each other.
Video: All royalty free video from from pexels.com
#Bukowski #CharlesBukowski

[@AnthonyLiccione]

“A tormented mind wants to forget, what a broken heart will always remember.”

[@Saba__20.25]

Axe forgets, but the tree remembers

[@williamhuertas2235]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥

[@waterinc.885]

The broken heart is the tormented mind. The organs are one and the same. You must master your brain.

[@wolen13_12]

A tormented mind,

[@hemplife666]

Like a vicious Cobra bent on revenge. Don't ask , What's it like to lose your mind? I'm finding out. Some fates are worse than death. Protect your mind above all, or, suffer the consequences.

[@saintarkweather]

I love the shot at the banality of watches that give you the date.

[@IsaacMorgan98]

It pains me that I feel I can't share this man's work with others for as soon as I show any hint of feeling or thinking like this they become concerned as if something is wrong with me. There is something wrong but it's not with me, it's with the fatalistic flaws of humanity itself. Believing itself to be a God when it is mearly an animal.

[@olafbesser7042]

well said. understood.

[@mibikitzyga9045]

The greatest tragedy is the wasted potential of all of us. From humanity failing to care for itself, down to the parents who raise their children poorly and kn abuse and anger. Everyone wants to look away. Wants to pretend it's fine. Want to pretend those homeless people on the corner aren't real. Or forget them the moment we stop seeing them. People want to bury their head in the dirt, tell the rest of us to do the same. Try to behead those who won't bury their heads. It will take a massive collapse, to bring EVERYONE down to the same level before we'll start caring again. Before we'll remember what made our species great. Community. Cooperation. We wouldn't be here if we didn't learn the value of this. The greatest tragedy is being able to see the train wreck coming, to point and shout, warning people. And they look. And then they look at you and tell you to look away and stop bothering them. The problem isn't theirs. Until it is.

[@Lungelo_vil]

It hurts, right?

[@kellycuckoo3143]

The right ones will appreciate it. Those are your people. Always be yourself, and it will weed out those not meant for you.

[@iolairmuinnmalachybromham3103]

@@mibikitzyga9045 I feel this so much. We go through everyday, juggling many difficult things, looking anywhere but at what's right there. And in those moments where you wake up to the reality of yourself and other human beings, existing right now in the world, surrounding each other, but being really alone at the same time- when you wake up to that, you realise that there's nothing which matters more. Until, that is, you lose sight of it for a moment, and are drawn straight back into the endless ways of looking away. I have just discovered Bukowski, and have been captured by the sight of a rare person who openly existed, in all his flaws, and sees. And sees how most of us kind of fake our way through life. Ultimately it's up to us to live awake. If there is a way that someone else can show you how to see people, I don't know it.

[@APL314159265]

Rediscovering Bukowski at this time is probably the worst thing I could have done. The melancholy, the stark sadness just speed up the cycle of loss and depression. As my candle flickers and gutters, the wax nearly just a pool, the wick black and twisted, writhing in it's final moments. I have made so many mistakes, missed so many cues, I face the inevitable alone. I have not spoken to another human for so long I wonder if my voice even makes sounds. I can hear it in my head, but if there were someone else here, would they hear it?

[@MatrixPanda]

Start writing or creating, you have a knack for it. :)

[@infinikki]

I hear it

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

Same place, homie

[@MortenNielsen-sk7pt]

Yes, start writing your thoughts, you now you can ❤ love ❤️ from 🇩🇰

[@riverbottomradio3025]

I hear you, see you.

[@anthonymason4999]

This guys eyes have seen more of the “world” than a flight attendant. He looks at the soul of people. I have this problem. It takes a toll. People are just not good to each other

[@burba_lurba]

phew! man what a powerful poem. bukowski was immensely talented. and well done with the video, it really added a lot!

[@annalisavajda252]

..."isolation is the gift everything else is a test of your endurance"...

[@MortenNielsen-sk7pt]

@@annalisavajda252 so true, I’ve started my journey with my self, isolating myself from all the negativity and it’s a blessing ❤️love and peace ✌️

[@jimw.4161]

Nobody... Nobody does Bukowski like Tom O'Bedlam! 👍

[@nateplumley6821]

Something long. Something short. A KZbin comment for Bukowski that deserves no retort.

[@julieswiss1]

@@nateplumley6821 Childish remark.

[@pradabears]

BARS 💯💯💯

[@ryanrohn4561]

As someone newly sober, I am finding that I can write sober, still. But I can't decide on whether or not to drop Bukowski. He's my favorite poet. I can't seem to be as effected by other writers. Oh well, life is full of dilemmas...

[@IsaacMorgan98]

You'll never hear anything like Bukowski anywhere else but by God does he make you want a beer or 20. His words cut deep but unfortunately, cuts hurt and addictions are used to mask pains. My advice would be to let him go and if you find yourself coming back to him, look around and see what's wrong, what's drawing you back into this way of thinking and craving these moods. I used to sit on my bedroom floor drinking honey bourbon out of the bottle. The bottle would be empty 3 hours later and I was ready to either pass out or die, didn't care which. I'm better now however I'm back listening to bukowski which means I have some life fixing to do.

[@ryanrohn4561]

I appreciate you sharing that and taking the time. I'm on day 11 now and staying active with creativity and occasional hikes; nature helps. Reading Carl Jung has also made a positive impact on "the psyche"....,, locating the fear and beginning there, with the work.

[@gaffney92]

And that's the beauty of it isn't?

[@fedelupus]

Isnt'it the dilemma of the dilemmas.. To fully be or just to be or not to be. There's no gain without pain. Just not possible. Theres so many ways to divide humanity. Guess the only one right is to the ones who dare to know and the ones that were scared.

[@AaronKing-vi5dw]

How long you been writing?

[@lastone3926]

I have listened to this over 100 times and it just crushed me I understand it now … what we need

[@ordinaryladka2057]

the poet reminds me my own time, lived with a beautiful lady in a rented house during the time of my college studies.

[@nikusita]

Amazing voice !!!

[@chrisgilmore361]

I write about what I see and feel I don't write to be like the others. Bukowski is bukowski and I am me. I like bukowski because he Is himself and knows who he is. A man full of knowledge and doesn't know himself is without everything.

[@sandyadkins2637]

Beautiful voice and work and everyone who feels alone and hurting I send you a big hug be strong today and everyday know your going to be alright everyone at some point has a bad day week or even rough year but just know take time love yourself take care of yourself well you are stronger than you could ever imagine GOD did not spend his time to make a looser That is whispers from the enemy and toxic people in your life shake free of them that bind YOU and be VICTORIOUS the WINNER GOD Knew you was going to be for YOU ARE SO BE IT⚡️✨💥🙏❤️☀️🔥🎧💎💪🏼⚡️✨

[@0gnomer]

'people are not good to each other'...once a neighbor, now a stranger, then a danger...assembly is the reverse of an undoing...in our social engineering

[@brucewalters8635]

Brilliant video. I've read alot of Bukowski's stuff. His talent is truly unique and beautiful in it's way. Bukowski gained his wisdom by suffering throught most of his life. The amazing thing is he was paying close attention to himself and his experiences. He was also well read as reflected in his quotes.

[@yarmar97]

Great one, thank you for content

[@desmondeastwood7279]

This is superb! Congrats John!

[@MedranoHijo]

Thought I was gonna watch The World's Most Famous slap to a Bukowski poem.

[@LuisFlores-mc2tc]

We are not good to each other because we are only human. We have limited time, energy, decisions, and resources. Because of these axioms and the system we live in things will not get better.

[@realjamesamani]

Beautiful!

[@Caspahz]

Cheers Mr. Cogs!

[@DeadSoulConsumer]

Real poetry

[@dreamedroads]

Keep up the good work!

[@lucasdossantosdias7248]

Isso arrepia , não conhecia essa versão do bukowski

[@-o-light8863]

This is the only Bukowski there is: Raw.

[@taylorrhyne502]

Most of his work you find on KZbin has been altered. It has been bastardized to fit the palette of more fragile minds.

[@101brydon]

Brilliant ❤

[@jjtom9199]

a poem about " JJ ". Thank you Mr. Bukowski

[@Jeustful]

I think Bukowski is wrong. We need more Bukowskis.

[@adamayyad4744]

Very salty tears,indeed Magnanimous, then drown in the ocean of salty tears what hurt me the most is the infinity and eternity that cut and conspire against my heart with mystery.

[@Ayquefrio413]

God damn this was amazing.

[@scottmcamis2127]

Hank was a dirty old man, we are all dirty old men!

[@yashdhingra3866]

Truth about life, we are never alone until the day we die.

[@vinayseth5899]

Each of us is always alone.

[@multiplescrotums774]

@@vinayseth5899 truth

[@Brooklynbaby47]

This is fuegooo 🔥🔥🔥

[@ToWhomhasgottenbackup]

People are not good to themselves

[@SoloWolf1792]

This gave me goosebumps 😃

[@kvothethebloodless8090]

Great stuff!

[@charlestaylor8624]

Well, it's a vast generalization that people are not good to each other. In my world people are often good to each other.

[@charlestaylor8624]

@VictorCrzz wow, your intelligent response rockd me.

[@theorangecandle]

It is possible for both to be true. People are sometimes good to each other. People are sometimes not good to each other.

[@taylorrhyne502]

People are good to each other only when it benefits them in some way. Emotional , physical or otherwise. Even if it's out of the so-called goodness of their hearts they still do it to get some kind of satisfaction for themselves.

[@robertberndt4012]

You never experienced Germany my friend

[@pouriaeskandarzadeh322]

Can't agree more. I did my part today 3 times and I'm happy. Let's just do our fucking part.

[@catchywatchy7086]

Nice editing

[@Disfiguring_DC]

This got me man.

[@GaryLupowitz]

A beautiful mind would of liked to have met you bukowski

[@samarjack1223]

"More haters than lovers” this words I can relate

[@farrah9748]

* understood

[@robertdarwin2130]

Choose to be good to others.

[@julianwoodcock4309]

Brutally honest. However, the reading of the poem edited out a couple of lines (see transcript), probably because they were deemed to be obscene.

[@psychiccouple1728]

Indeed beloved

[@minnesotavice]

Oh that’s a bit of crunch

[@davegilmore7420]

People are not good to each other...

[@flowersofthefield340]

......... We dont need ............ ❤❤❤

[@dave9928]

One of my favorite peoms... But I lost it at the will Smith slap. 😂

[@Gaphalor]

A man who is only seeing one side of life. Very sad

[@Gaphalor]

@VictorCrzz You try to claim objective truth while making very subjective statements. You can see beauty and uglyness, both does exist just in a very subjective way. A lion eating a gazelle can be seen as the beautiful cycle of life or as ugly, offensive and savage just by the way of your worldview and the position in the world you have. This has nothing to do anyhow with "truth" in an exclusive way how you want to frame it.

[@Gaphalor]

@VictorCrzz "No u" haha okay, but it probably should be a "yes but you too" don't you think?

[@Gaphalor]

@VictorCrzz I didn't say it is not true, I said it's just one side, that's something completely different! If Buk says "people are not good to each other" than this is just one side of the coin, there are also many people being good to each other, but in his phrasing it sounds like a universal statement, this is what I critique a swell as your comment saying truth is ALWAYS ugly and offending. Is it really that way?

[@TheMuffinManIsHappy]

I agree, it is sad. It’s very tough seeing the world that way, but many people do, and why I think Bukowski resonates with so many people is because he’s relatable to poor working class Americans. I obviously don’t know anything about you, but I grew up in a poor working class home and everyone just seemed so defeated. My parents, my friends parents, the teachers; the tedium and monotony of the 9-5 is straight up Sisyphus. And I’m NOT saying that’s how life really is, but it’s easy to feel that way and it’s an absolutely dark, crushing feeling and it’s just nice to hear a poem so direct about it, which is why Bukowski’s poems slap so hard in my opinion. I know no one asked, but I just feel strongly about it because his work actually helped me see through that mindset, and that the things that give true happiness are right under our noses. That’s all. Sorry to ramble. “Don’t try.” - Charles Bukowski.

[@Gaphalor]

@@TheMuffinManIsHappy Wow thanks for sharing, I really appreciate the insight. Yea life can be that way, it can beat you down really bad. On the lowest point I used to sit on the edge of the balcony and the only reason I didn't jump was because I was too big of a pussy. I felt so pathetic to not even manage to end my misery. Well I realised I got nothing to loose anyway so why not just try to enjoy life. I know that sounds really stupid but you know it actually changed my life. I realized how much of my suffering actually is just the way I look at things. I still have a lot of worldly problems, but they don't crush my soul anymore if you get what I mean. On the other side of suffering is the real beauty of life! Wish you the best I hope you are in a good spot!

[@kellycuckoo3143]

So mutilated by love or no love💔

[@itsmealvin3473]

intense

[@g.coleman]

Listen to the man Alex ~ Fools Rush In

[@mrj6]

Haha so true. People think nyc is great. Terrible place. Terrible people.

[@wakkowarner8810]

Compared to New Jersey, NYC is a great place to live. Compared to anywhere else in America, NYC is garbage-over prices and over crowded.

[@multiplescrotums774]

truth

[@jolaade4497]

🔥 🔥

[@SoItGoes1985]

Jeez, it sure seems that way, especially now. Bukowski would’ve had plenty to say about the internet and social “mean to each other” media.

[@jasoncoker1625]

❤

[@danielsackett]

So am I

[@danielsackett]

Terrified

[@1okanaganguy]

AMERICAN MASTER

[@jbartmontage6737]

Polish - American.

[@underdogpsychosis2841]

😢💔

[@DGoalvideogameO_o]

I know why🙁

[@multiplescrotums774]

why?? please elaborate

[@Eoin_D]

The imagery is too literal I think in the video adaptation

[@theorangecandle]

Probably ai

[@dunsbroccoli2588]

Use Bukowski's voice.

[@danielsackett]

This is not how you should do anything btw. This has been the worst experience of my life. I would rather beg for forgiveness by eating glass. Nothing about this is okay.

[@gorezy]

Book of Eli in a poem

[@lucasdossantosdias7248]

Esse sotaque é de qual país ?

[@multiplescrotums774]

tis' great british.

[@B6j365]

She is not afraid. In a year or two, the children will live to flat where she is a share holder, and her to her new husband, who is afraid to commit with her and her younger children, who gives her mix signals, and liove her like crazy....

[@sethhornaday5943]

Being burnt alive with broken neck the gods and people are not good to each other

[@321bytor]

fewer

[@elyea5928]

Visuals are distracting af. I’ll go back to his interviews

[@julieswiss1]

I couldn't disagree more.

[@brandonf24]

Then you have never endured hardship. It tempers your ideals and fanciful notions of what the world should be as opposed to what it actually is to survive rather than live.

[@julieswiss1]

@@brandonf24 Do you know me at all? No, you're just being arrogant. I've survived a dictatorship in Latin America while in the resistance, still a teen. I've endured hardship still worse than that in life, I'm 74. Shame on you.

[@infinikki]

Even here, people are not good to each other

[@athiefinthenight6894]

Bukowski really talking out of his arsehole with this one. Good shit but. What we need, entirely depends on who we are.

[@zakibou8012]

boohoo

[@kzrlgo]

Wow how can you put this crappy music over a poem?

[@Age1870]

Kinda childish and not meaningful

[@Pc.VanlalrempuiiNutei]

You don't understand at all

[@MrJuan_Vzla]

All I hear were pessimistic rambling.

[@Lili-Benovent]

Six minutes of depressive nonsense, this isn't poetry

[@monklast9752]

Can someone take away the corny music.

[@juliusberd6664]

Please for Espanish.