🧬 Charles Bukowskis, What A Shitty Life 🧬 Poem by James McLain

What a Shitty Life, Either Buy Beer or Feed the Dog


I woke up,
head pounding like a goddamn drum,
last night's whiskey rolling in my gut,
tobacco-stained fingers
shaking for a cigarette.

The dog looked at me,
eyes like two dark moons,
hungry, waiting.
I rummaged through my pockets—
loose change, a crumpled dollar.
Not enough.

The fridge hummed, mocking me,
empty except for half a loaf of stale bread.
The liquor store opened at nine.
I scratched my stubbled chin,
that familiar itch crawling under the skin,
beer or feed the dog?

The damn mutt whined,
tail thumping on the dirty linoleum,
his bowl bone dry.
Another day in paradise,
same decision, same misery.

I grabbed my coat,
and the dog followed.
Guess we're both hungry.