The Bluebird
by Charles Bukowski
there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I’m not going
to let anybody see
you.
there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he’s
in there.
there’s a bluebird in my heart that.
wants to get out.
but I’m too tough for him.
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess me up?
you want to screw up the works?
you want to blow my book sales in Europe?
there’s a bluebird in my heart that.
wants to get out.
but I’m too clever, I only let him out.
at night sometimes.
when everybody’s asleep..
I say, I know that you’re there.
so don’t be sad.then I put him back,
but he’s singing a little
in there, I haven’t quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our secret pact
and it’s nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don’t
weep, do
you?
Understanding “The Bluebird” by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski’s “The Bluebird” is a deceptively simple yet profoundly moving poem. It explores the internal struggle between vulnerability and a hardened exterior, creativity and suppression. Through the extended metaphor of a bluebird trapped within the speaker’s heart, Bukowski delves into themes of self‑protection, hidden emotions, and the quiet desperation of a man unwilling to fully reveal his true self. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the poem’s meaning, literary devices, and underlying message.
Summary of “The Bluebird”
The poem centers around a speaker who harbors a “bluebird” within his heart—a representation of his emotions, creativity, or perhaps a more fragile part of himself. The bird yearns for freedom, for expression, but the speaker actively suppresses it, fearing vulnerability or judgment. He attempts to “drown” the bird with alcohol and cigarettes, presenting a tough façade to the outside world. Despite this suppression, the bird persists, and the speaker allows it fleeting moments of release in the privacy of night. The poem concludes with an uneasy truce: the bird is not extinguished, it remains captive, and the speaker remains emotionally guarded, refusing to succumb to the simple act of weeping.
Central Idea
At its core, “The Bluebird” is a poem about the conflict between our authentic selves and the masks we wear to protect ourselves. Bukowski suggests that many of us harbor a delicate, vulnerable core—the “bluebird”—that we are afraid to expose to the world. We build walls around our emotions, fearing judgment or pain, and in doing so we risk stifling our creativity and diminishing our capacity for genuine connection.
In-Depth Analysis
The Bluebird as Symbol
The bluebird is the central symbol of the poem, and its meaning is multifaceted. Traditionally, bluebirds represent happiness, hope, and renewal. In Bukowski’s poem, the bird is not free to embody these qualities. Instead, it is trapped, symbolizing the speaker’s suppressed emotions, creative impulses, or a longing for something more meaningful in life. The fact that it resides “in my heart” suggests a deeply personal and intimate struggle.
Consider these lines:
“there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,”
Here, the speaker explicitly establishes a power dynamic. He is “too tough” for the bird, implying a deliberate act of suppression. This isn’t a natural state; it is a conscious choice to maintain control.
Suppression and Self-Destruction
The speaker’s attempts to suppress the bluebird are not passive. He actively tries to “drown” it with alcohol and cigarettes:
“but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke.”
This imagery is striking. Alcohol and cigarettes are not nurturing substances; they are destructive. The speaker is not trying to soothe the bird; he is attempting to numb it, to silence its cries for freedom. This self‑destructive behavior is a common theme in Bukowski’s work and highlights the speaker’s internal conflict.
The Performance of Toughness
The speaker is acutely aware of his public persona. He wants to appear strong and invulnerable to the outside world. This is evident in the lines:
“and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he’s
in there.”
The repetition of “never know” emphasizes the speaker’s desire for secrecy. He carefully constructs a façade, hiding his vulnerability from those around him. This performance of toughness is exhausting, but he believes it is necessary to survive in a harsh world.
The Fleeting Moments of Release
Despite his attempts at suppression, the bird persists. The speaker allows it brief moments of release in the privacy of night:
“but I’m too clever, I only let him out.
at night sometimes.
when everybody’s asleep.”
These lines suggest a complex relationship. The speaker isn’t entirely devoid of empathy. He recognizes the bird’s need for freedom and allows it fleeting moments of expression, but only when no one is watching. This indicates a deep‑seated fear of judgment and a reluctance to fully embrace his authentic self.
The Unwillingness to Weep
The poem concludes with a poignant image: the bird singing softly while the speaker refuses to weep:
“then I put him back,
but he’s singing a little
in there, I haven’t quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our secret pact
and it’s nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don’t
weep, do
you?”
The “secret pact” between the speaker and the bird is one of uneasy compromise. The bird is not extinguished; it remains captive. The speaker acknowledges the emotional weight of this arrangement—it is “nice enough to make a man weep”—but he refuses to succumb to that emotion. The final question, “do you?” directly addresses the reader, inviting them to reflect on their own emotional suppression.
Literary and Poetic Devices
- Extended Metaphor: The entire poem relies on the extended metaphor of the bluebird to represent the speaker’s inner emotions and creativity.
- Repetition: The repeated lines, “there’s a bluebird in my heart that / wants to get out / but I’m too tough for him,” function as a refrain, emphasizing the central conflict of the poem.
- Imagery: Bukowski uses vivid imagery, such as “whiskey” and “cigarette smoke,” to create a palpable sense of atmosphere and to symbolize the speaker’s destructive habits.
- Direct Address: The final question, “do you?” directly addresses the reader, creating a sense of intimacy and inviting them to connect with the poem on a personal level.
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Bukowski to create a natural, conversational tone.
Quotes for Reflection
These lines encapsulate the central themes of the poem and can be used for further reflection or analysis:
“there’s a bluebird in my heart that.
wants to get out.
but I’m too clever, I only let him out.
at night sometimes.
when everybody’s asleep.”
This passage highlights the speaker’s complex relationship with his inner self—a mixture of suppression, fleeting release, and a deep‑seated fear of vulnerability.
“The Bluebird” is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal struggle between authenticity and self‑protection. Through its vivid imagery, haunting metaphors, and unflinching honesty, Bukowski invites us to confront our own emotional landscapes and to question the masks we wear to shield ourselves from the world.