Comments on the Previous Post

For those of you who may have been traumatized by the little mini-essay that preceded this post, or at least found themselves discomforted, let me explain briefly the elements that may have been off-putting and why, in fact, they are not so. There was talk from Bukowski of the good, hot beer shit, that, at first glance, is a rather disquieting and off-putting image. It is true, I can't rectify that fact. The theory of onanism in writing might also be disturbing to the uninitiated. But these are metaphors that are meant to shock, to unsettle, unbalance--so to speak--the reader. They are not meant to be taken in and of themselves, or at least in what I posted, but to be taken within context. There is an idea that what is written and what is read should be pleasing to the reader. I disagree with that notion. Whatever is written should make the reader think and sometimes that means making the reader think in areas that they would rather not.

Bukowski is notorious for his crass sense of humor, but, if one were to read him, one would realize the beautiful sensitivity that he brings to the table; the unabashed sincerity of his prose and his poetry is what make both so volatile in the world of literature. There are those who praise him and those who abhor him. I would warrant that this a sign that, above all, Bukowski has succeeded in making the reader think, think in terms perhaps uncomfortable, but to think most importantly.

The purpose of the previous post was not to shock or to dally in off-color humor, but to investigate, with its own humor, the world of literary analysis. The essay itself, being self-negating, is a reflection or an embodiment of its own subject. It's purpose was to tackle the futility of analysis and the modes of operation for the self-negating writer.

My apologies to those who may have taken offence. The only advice that I can offer is to reread and search for the underlying meaning, looking beyond the initial words and understanding the way they play. I believe we are prisoners to our own fears and discomforts. The world awaits to be cracked open at any time; it can be a wonderful place, a magical place, but it requires a panoramic mind to see it.