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Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski

spring swan
swans die in the Spring too
and there it floated
dead on a Sunday
sideways
circling in the current
and I walked to the rotunda
and overhead
gods in chariots
dogs, women
circled,
and death
ran down my throat
like a mouse,
and I heard the people coming
with their picnic bags
and laughter,
and I felt guilty
for the swan
as if death
were a thing of shame
and like a fool
walked away
and left them
my beautiful swan.

#AmericanWriters #1993 #ThePleasuresOfTheDamned

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