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War all the time
poems, 1981-1984
280 pages
An influential collection of contemporary American poetry that frames daily existence as an ongoing battle.
What it feels like
This collection offers a steady, contemplative journey through the poetic works of a deeply influential American writer rooted in the landscape of Los Angeles. The mood is embattled yet reflective, capturing the essence of a specific era while meditating on the broader struggles of contemporary life. Driven by the thematic weight of its title, the reading experience feels like a stark confrontation with the everyday battles of existence. The verse is direct and impactful, showcasing the distinct, highly imitated style of a poet who spent decades honing his craft. It will delight readers who seek unvarnished, grounded poetry that treats everyday survival and the passage of time as a profound, ongoing conflict.
- Mood
- embattled
- contemplative
- stark
- Tone
- combative
- reflective
- direct
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- daily struggle · the writing life · passage of time · urban existence
- The writing
- Direct, influential contemporary verse that leaves a lasting, imitable impact.
- The arc
- A reflective journey through the ongoing, everyday battles of contemporary life.
- Who it's for
- Readers who appreciate stark, influential American poetry that confronts the struggles of daily existence.
Content notes
- thematic conflict
About the book
Charles Bukowski is one of America's best-known contemporary writers of poetry and prose, and, many would claim, its most influential and imitated poet. He was born in Andernach, Germany, and raised in Los Angeles, where he lived for fifty years. He published his first story in 1944, when he was twenty-four, and began writing poetry at the age of thirty-five. He died in San Pedro, California, on March 9, 1994, at the age of seventy-three, shortly after completing his last novel, Pulp (1994).
Description from Open Library.
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