Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Reunion" by Charles Bukowski offers a humorous yet poignant reflection on the resilience and reliability of older technology, personified through the "old typer." The poem starts with an anecdote about a cat spraying in the speaker's computer, rendering it unusable—a modern inconvenience that prompts a return to the typewriter. This incident serves as a catalyst for the poem's broader exploration of durability, nostalgia, and the relationship between the creator and their tools.

Bukowski contrasts the fragility of modern technology with the sturdiness of the typewriter, which "can handle cat spray, spilled beer and wine, cigarette and cigar ashes, damned near anything." This list of hazards not only humorously acknowledges the chaotic environment in which Bukowski often found himself writing but also highlights the typewriter's ability to withstand the physical realities of the writer's life. The typewriter emerges as a symbol of endurance, capable of surviving in conditions that newer technology cannot.

The poem then shifts to a deeper, more reflective tone with the line "reminds me of myself." This comparison between the poet and the typewriter elevates the device from a mere tool to a mirror of the poet's own ruggedness and resilience. Bukowski's identification with the typewriter suggests a kinship with objects and people that endure, that bear the marks of lived experience without succumbing to them.

The closing lines, "welcome back, old boy, from the old boy," are a tender acknowledgment of the reunion between Bukowski and his typewriter. The repetition of "old boy" serves to underscore both the affectionate bond between the poet and the typewriter and the mutual recognition of having weathered many storms. This reunion is not just a return to a piece of equipment but a reconnection with a part of the poet's identity—a return to a simpler, more direct form of expression that has proven its worth over time.

"Reunion" is a testament to Charles Bukowski's ability to find depth and meaning in the everyday. Through the lens of a seemingly trivial incident, he explores themes of resilience, nostalgia, and the intrinsic value of maintaining a connection to the past. The poem celebrates the unpretentious, the durable, and the authentically lived life, championing the beauty of perseverance in both life and art.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Il_grande/M_nE4jrrCxMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=BACH

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