Poem Analysis - The Weather Is Hot On The Back Of My Watch

Charles Bukowski's "The Weather Is Hot On The Back Of My Watch" is a rambling, brutally honest meditation on life's absurdities and the inherent contradictions of human nature. The poem veers between cynicism and a strange sort of acceptance, punctuated by moments of surprising tenderness. The tone is conversational and world-weary, shifting from bitterness to resignation and even a flicker of empathy. Bukowski's characteristic bluntness is on full display, making for a raw and unflinching look at the underbelly of existence.

Embracing the Underbelly: The Cynical Gaze

One of the central themes of the poem is a disillusioned perspective on traditional values and societal expectations. Bukowski challenges the notion of inherent decency, suggesting that self-interest often trumps morality, as illustrated by the line, "when the bull goes down / on the whore, the heart is laid aside for something else." He further questions the romantic ideal of love, suggesting pragmatic alternatives if love falters: "maybe you should have stuck it into something else / like an oil well / or a herd of cows." The poem consistently undermines sentimental notions, opting instead for a stark realism that acknowledges the ugliness and moral compromises that exist in the world.

The Shared Plight: Solidarity in Suffering

Despite the poem's cynicism, a subtle theme of solidarity emerges. The speaker identifies with those on the margins – the "wobbly king of 6 kids" in the crap game, the crows being slaughtered by farmers. There is a shared understanding of hardship and the struggle for survival. This is evident in the speaker's remembrance of being "on the bum in Texas." Even the seemingly detached observation about "things are tough all over" implies a recognition of universal suffering, creating a link between the speaker and the downtrodden.

Facing Artistic Frustration: Poem as a Struggle

The poem also touches upon the struggles and frustrations of the artistic process. The lines, "I've gone with the poem / and been k.o'd with the old sucker-punch / round after round," suggest a battle with creative expression. There's a sense that the poem itself is a challenging force, capable of defeating the speaker. This idea is further reinforced by the line, "if the poems are bad / they are supposed to be bad and if they are good / they are likewise supposed to be," implying a surrender to the unpredictable nature of art. This acceptance, however, doesn't negate the "minor / fight to be fought," acknowledging the artist's ongoing struggle for meaning and expression.

Crows as Symbols: Survival and Defiance

The image of the crows is particularly striking and symbolic. The crow-blast scene is a brutal depiction of humanity's destructive tendencies and the crows' resilience in the face of it. The crows, even after being attacked, "stuck out their tongues / and mourned their dead and elected new leaders / and then all at once flew home to fuck to fill the gap," symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, death, and renewal. They represent a defiance of oppression and an unwavering commitment to survival. The "not-quite-dead crow" that "smiled" at the speaker is particularly haunting, suggesting a connection between the speaker's own marginalized existence and the crows' struggle.

Time's Passage and Inaction's Weight

The phrase "The weather is hot on the back of my watch" is repeated to bookend the poem, creating a sense of cyclical return and underlining the passage of time. The watch being "down at Finkelstein's" suggests a pawned possession, perhaps symbolizing lost time or wasted potential. The speaker's refusal to tell the farmer the time highlights a personal alienation and detachment. It suggests a deliberate choice to disengage from the world, even when a simple act of communication is requested. This inaction contributes to the overall feeling of sadness and resignation that permeates the poem. Is this alienation a conscious choice born from disillusionment, or a symptom of the speaker's own internal struggles?

Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Imperfection

In conclusion, "The Weather Is Hot On The Back Of My Watch" is a raw and unflinching portrayal of a world riddled with hypocrisy, suffering, and the relentless passage of time. Through vivid imagery, cynical observations, and moments of unexpected empathy, Bukowski captures the complexities of human existence. The poem doesn't offer easy answers or comforting platitudes, but instead embraces the imperfections and contradictions that define life on the margins. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder to acknowledge the ugliness alongside the beauty, and to find a strange sort of solace in the shared experience of being flawed and imperfectly human.