Tom Waits Reads Bukowski

On finding light in darkness, knowing chances and the ownership of life.

Short and sweet, our 2010 wish to Brain Pickings readers, from the lips of Tom Waits reading “The Laughing Heart” by the great 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.

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Uncovered Gem: Bono Reads Bukowski’s “Roll The Dice”

“If you’re gonna try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.”

Today, we’re doing a short-and-sweet on the convergence of two cultural icons — Bono reading Bukowski, easily the most influential and most imitated contemporary poet.

“Roll The Dice” comes from the brilliant What Matters Most is How Well You Walk Through the Fire, Bukowski’s second posthumous collection spanning 200+ poems from the 70’s through the 90’s.

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