About the book
In The Last Night of the Earth Poems, Charles Bukowski reckons with writing, death and immortality, literature, city life, illness, war, and the past.
“The Walt Whitman of Los Angeles.”—Joyce Carol Oates, bestselling author
“He brought everybody down to earth, even the angels.”—Leonard Cohen, songwriter The poems in the first three sections of this book were published in three volumes: It Catches My Heart in its Hands, Crucifix in a Deathhand and At Terror Street, and Agony Way. Bukowski wrote in his introduction \"Looking at these poems written between 1955 and 1973 I like (for one reason or another) the last poems best. I am pleased with this. I have, of course, no idea what shape my future poems will take, or even if I will write any, because I have no idea how long I will go on living, but since I began writing poetry quite late in life, at the age of 35, I like to think they'll give me a few extra years now, at this end. Meanwhile, the poems that follow will have to do.\"
- Gritty Realism: Find beauty and despair in the mundane—from racetracks and flophouses to the quiet desperation of a 9-to-5 job.
- Unflinching Voice: Experience the raw, direct, and darkly humorous style that made Bukowski a counter-culture legend.
- Poems of Survival: A collection that stares into the abyss of mortality, illness, and failure, and somehow finds a reason to keep going.
- A Writer’s Life: Go behind the curtain as Bukowski confronts the agony of the blank page, the absurdity of the literary world, and the salvation of the word.
Editions of Last Night of the Earth Poems
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780876858639
- EBook
- ISBN 9780061857171
Read an Excerpt
In The Last Night of the Earth Poems, Charles Bukowski reckons with writing, death and immortality, literature, city life, illness, war, and the past.
“The Walt Whitman of Los Angeles.”—Joyce Carol Oates, bestselling author
“He brought everybody down to earth, even the angels.”—Leonard Cohen, songwriter The poems in the first three sections of this book were published in three volumes: It Catches My Heart in its Hands, Crucifix in a Deathhand and At Terror Street, and Agony Way. Bukowski wrote in his introduction \"Looking at these poems written between 1955 and 1973 I like (for one reason or another) the last poems best. I am pleased with this. I have, of course, no idea what shape my future poems will take, or even if I will write any, because I have no idea how long I will go on living, but since I began writing poetry quite late in life, at the age of 35, I like to think they'll give me a few extra years now, at this end. Meanwhile, the poems that follow will have to do.\"
- Gritty Realism: Find beauty and despair in the mundane—from racetracks and flophouses to the quiet desperation of a 9-to-5 job.
- Unflinching Voice: Experience the raw, direct, and darkly humorous style that made Bukowski a counter-culture legend.
- Poems of Survival: A collection that stares into the abyss of mortality, illness, and failure, and somehow finds a reason to keep going.
- A Writer’s Life: Go behind the curtain as Bukowski confronts the agony of the blank page, the absurdity of the literary world, and the salvation of the word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Last Night of the Earth Poems about?
In The Last Night of the Earth Poems, Charles Bukowski reckons with writing, death and immortality, literature, city life, illness, war, and the past.
“The Walt Whitman of Los Angeles.”—Joyce Carol Oates, bestselling author
“He brought everybody down to earth, even the angels.”—Leonard Cohen, songwriter The poems in the first three sections of this book were published in three volumes: It Catches My Heart in its Hands, Crucifix in a Deathhand and At Terror Street, and Agony Way. Bukowski wrote in his introduction \"Looking at these poems written between 1955 and 1973 I like (for one reason or another) the last poems best. I am pleased with this. I have, of course, no idea what shape my future poems will take, or even if I will write any, because I have no idea how long I will go on living, but since I began writing poetry quite late in life, at the age of 35, I like to think they'll give me a few extra years now, at this end. Meanwhile, the poems that follow will have to do.\"
- Gritty Realism: Find beauty and despair in the mundane—from racetracks and flophouses to the quiet desperation of a 9-to-5 job.
- Unflinching Voice: Experience the raw, direct, and darkly humorous style that made Bukowski a counter-culture legend.
- Poems of Survival: A collection that stares into the abyss of mortality, illness, and failure, and somehow finds a reason to keep going.
- A Writer’s Life: Go behind the curtain as Bukowski confronts the agony of the blank page, the absurdity of the literary world, and the salvation of the word.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Last Night of the Earth Poems?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems > Poetry / poems by form or style > Poetry / poems by form or style: Haiku
Where can I read a sample of Last Night of the Earth Poems?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780876858639
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Last Night of the Earth Poems?
Charles Bukowski
Who is the Publisher of the book Last Night of the Earth Poems?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Last Night of the Earth Poems is available as paperback(ISBN 9780876858639) and ebook(ISBN 9780061857171)
Where can I buy Last Night of the Earth Poems online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Last Night of the Earth Poems?