An Observation (Ode to Buk)

What a world we live in.

A man once said:

“There’s a bluebird in my heart,

but I pour whiskey on him,

and inhale cigarette smoke.”

Imagine most would say,

“Let the bluebird sing!”

But people like him knew

Nothing comes that easy.

The word potential is

Meaningless in reality.

Because if you don’t use it

It will always be a word.

Does your heart stop when

You need to cross the street

But deep down you know

You just might not make it

To the other side?

Bring me back to the time

When people listened

And didn’t just hear

And when people spoke

And didn’t just talk.

Bring me back to the time

When people lived

And didn’t just exist.

Author's Note

Thank you, Bukowski.