Since graduating from college, Paul has worked as a librarian, teacher, and freelance writer. Born in the UK, he currently lives in Florida.
charles bukowski was a prolific writer who produced a large number of poetry books in his day (there are more than 60 currently in publication at last count). in fact, there are so many that it can be difficult for readers to sift through them and find the best ones.
You are reading: Best charles bukowski poetry books
Unfortunately, due to the enormous appeal of his work and the commercial success it brings, some of the material that has been published since his death has not been his most accomplished work, much of which is the product of Bukowski himself. deemed unworthy of publication during his lifetime.
my 5 selections of charles bukowski’s best poetry books highlighted below attempt to offer a reasonably representative range of his work, from the raw poems of his early career, when he was struggling with turbulent romances and money, until his later period, when he had established himself as a professional writer and his life was less chaotic.
who is charles bukowski?
Described by Time magazine as a “laureate of American lowlife,” Bukowski was a damaged and dislocated person, in many ways.
An outsider from a young age and a legendary drunk as an adult, his favorite writing topics included his relationships with women, heavy drinking, horse racing, and the monotony of work.
yet despite the gritty subject matter, bukowski’s best poetry is interwoven with wry, insightful humor that never fails to amuse and inspire.
“poetry is what happens when nothing else can.”
— charles bukowski
bukowski’s top 5 poetry books
- poems from the last night on earth
- burning in the water, drowning in flames
- hanging in tournefortia
- love is a hellhound
- seventy-year-old stew
I provide general information and explain each of my options below.
1. poems of the last night of the earth
the last night of the poems on earth is an exceptional work and, in my opinion, the best book of bukowski poetry.
He was near the end of his life and in a reflective frame of mind when he wrote this book. many of his poems show him looking back on the bar life and dead-end jobs of his youth with an old man’s perspective. His tone is wonderfully understated and peppered with humor.
I bought my copy while visiting New York and knew it was something special five minutes after I opened the book and started reading.
The collection includes some of his best poems, works such as “dinosaur, us”, “darkling” and “the soldier, the wife and the tramp”.
2. burning in water, drowning in flames
this book is a wonderful collection of charles bukowski’s early work, covering the period between 1955 and 1973. burning in water, drowning in flames was the first book of his poems i owned and it made me realize that modern free verse doesn’t have to be dry, pretentious, and dark.
this book contains his catullus influenced poem, “to the whore who took my poems” which includes the lines: “next time take my left arm or a fifty/ but not my poems:/ i’m not shakespeare/ but in sometime just/ there will be no more, abstract or otherwise;/ there will always be money and whores and drunks…” if you want to read his early works, this is the best book of bukowski poetry.
3. hanging in tournefortia
written shortly after he “made it” with reflections on his comfortable new life in san pedro, as well as material on his earlier, more troubled times in east hollywood, los angeles.
Here’s some wonderfully witty writing with poems about mortgages and tax accountants, as well as the standard fare of racetracks, classical music, and bad sex.
one of the best bukowski poetry books of his middle period.
an intellectual says a simple thing in a harsh way. an artist says something difficult in a simple way.
— charles bukowski
4. love is a dog from hell
top drawer book, containing poems from the mid to late 1970s.
charles bukowski had already quit his job at the post office and began to experience the first benefits of his growing fame.
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the love is a dog from hell collection includes the poignant poem about her ex-lover, “one for old snaggletooth”, which includes the lines: “she has hurt fewer people/than anyone i know,/and if you look in that,/well,/she has created a better world/she has won.”
5. septuagenarian stew
Despite his chaotic lifestyle and heavy drinking, Bukowski possessed tremendous creative energy throughout his life and this book is a testament to that.
As its title suggests, the septuagenarian stew was written at the age of seventy, but none of its verve has gone. in fact, it produced some of his best poetry in his later years.
Three years after the publication of this book, shortly after completing his experimental novel, Pulp, Bukowski died of leukemia. written on his tombstone were the words: “don’t try”, a phrase from one of his poems.
the worst bukowski poetry books
I personally found that what matters most is how well you walk through fire is a very disappointing read. the quality was noticeably lower than bukowski’s typical high standard.
I wasn’t surprised to find that the book is mostly made up of poems that weren’t published during the writer’s lifetime. I can certainly see why many of them were rejected at the time.
Generally speaking, I would advise anyone to beware of poetry published only after bukowski’s death. yes, he was a prolific writer, but not everything he produced was gold, and he himself was very careful in life not to publish everything.
bukowski’s best novels
In addition to producing poetry, Bukowski also wrote six novels, all of which are definitely worth reading, in my opinion.
In fact, he began his writing career as a short story author, but after a personal crisis related to the death of his romantic partner, jane cooney baker, and a subsequent health problem due to excessive alcohol consumption, he switched to poetry.
It was Bukowski’s publisher, John Martin of Black Sparrow Press, who convinced him to write novels, partly for business reasons: novels tend to sell better than poetry.
bukowski drew on his experiences of work, childhood, low life, relationships with women, the movie industry, and drinking to produce six great reads.
If you’re losing your soul and you know it, then you still have one soul left to lose.
— charles bukowski
“if you’re going to try it, go to the end or don’t even start. if you follow it, you’ll be alive with the gods. it’s the only good fight there is.”
— charles bukowski
© 2011 paul goodman
comments
aldwin ronan on July 30, 2019:
The poetry books provided by you are really amazing and I will read it and also buy this book in the future. I recommend these best poetry books to everyone. also read these famous poetry books
aitch mac on May 28, 2019:
excellent column with vibrant and colorful quotes. I am a great admirer of your poem the tragedy of the leaves. it is a poignant image of much of his life. but a low and dirty pathos. early 60’s thank you for your well-constructed effort.
john dullaghan on April 13, 2016:
good page. I agree with much of what you say. “last night” is also one of my favorite collections!
divinyl on August 19, 2014:
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some years ago in an unremembered post i read a quote from a bukowski poem about living in los angeles, with a line or a few about women you can’t have. is there any chance you can tell me what poem it was, or have any suggestions on where to look? I have the poems from the last night on earth, and it’s not in that collection. thanks for any input you may have.
chris adams on November 26, 2012:
what about the nightingale? wish me luck, there are a lot of really good poems.
kevin croitz on April 27, 2011:
I’m reading love is a hellhound at the moment, great book, I’ve read a lot of bukowski, great stuff, not everyone will like it, but it was from the heart and had a lot of energy.
ed on March 20, 2011:
just saw your bukowski blog…great articles!
paul goodman (author) from florida usa on february 16, 2011:
@sligobay I look forward to reading it!
sligobay from east of the equator on February 15, 2011:
I’m close and you’ve convinced me that a sequel is possible that will help me with my editing. the cube is too long!
paul goodman (author) from florida usa on february 15, 2011:
thanks for your great feedback, I’m working on more bukowski related hubs so keep in touch!
sligobay from east of the equator on February 11, 2011:
thanks for the hub and follow paul. i have a bukowski center under construction for months and you have inspired me to put an end to my procrastination. “pure alcohol-sharpened genius” is one of my more interesting descriptions of bukowski. I intend to link your hub to mine when posting and am now following you. as suspected; Many are unaware of this brilliant and prolific poet. thanks for introducing hubpages. fair fees for you to pick me up. yours is an excellent article.
b. malin on February 11, 2011:
bukowski, you sound like a pretty prolific writer…i found your hub very interesting and informative. I loved the title, “love is a dog from hell.” I will enjoy following the hubs and thank you from him for becoming a follower of mine!
saddlerider1 on February 11, 2011:
There are so many similarities I read here about this poet you refer to, bukowski, my past life experiences lead me to write from some of the darkest shadows of my life.
my soul cries out to me to write about the abuse, the anger, the alcohol, the anger in my house as a child, the mean streets I lived on, the bars, finding an angel who saved me from myself and much more. more.
Thank you for sharing this man with us here, I look forward to reading his poetry. let him be torn from this life with which he fought here.
paul goodman (author) from florida usa on february 11, 2011:
@pearldiver, thanks for your comment. nz sounds like an exciting place based on your description! 🙂
steal welsh from tomorrow – in words & New Zealand time on February 11, 2011:
a well written and balanced center. I didn’t know about this poet, his work or life … but then I only dabble in poetry and we are a bit slow in nz, unless we are chased by the police, dogs or expectant mothers! thanks for the cultural photo and for sharing your talents… an interesting description of poetry, I thought. greetings take care.
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