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?
Unlocking the Layers of “The Bluebird” by Charles Bukowski
Welcome, poetry explorers, to a journey into one of Charles Bukowski’s most poignant and widely discussed poems, “The Bluebird.” This piece, seemingly simple on the surface, offers a profound look into the human heart, exploring the delicate balance between our inner vulnerabilities and the tough exteriors we often present to the world. Through the captivating image of a bluebird held captive within the speaker’s chest, Bukowski invites us to consider themes of self protection, hidden emotions, and the quiet yearning for authentic expression. Prepare to uncover the poem’s deep meanings, its clever use of literary devices, and the universal message it holds for all of us.
A Quick Flight: Summary of “The Bluebird”
The poem introduces a speaker who carries a “bluebird” within his heart. This bird represents his tender emotions, creative spirit, or perhaps a more fragile, authentic part of himself. The bluebird constantly yearns for freedom and expression, but the speaker actively suppresses it. He fears vulnerability and judgment from others, attempting to silence the bird with alcohol and cigarette smoke, all while maintaining a hardened facade for the outside world. Despite these efforts, the bluebird persists. The speaker eventually allows it brief, secret moments of release, only at night when no one is watching. The poem concludes with an uneasy agreement: the bluebird remains alive and singing softly within, a secret companion, while the speaker steadfastly refuses to yield to the simple, human act of weeping, even when the situation is deeply moving.
The Heart of the Matter: Central Idea
At its core, “The Bluebird” explores the profound conflict between our true, authentic selves and the protective masks we construct to navigate the world. Bukowski suggests that many individuals harbor a delicate, vulnerable essence, symbolized by the “bluebird,” which they are afraid to expose. By building emotional walls, often out of fear of judgment or pain, we risk stifling our creativity, diminishing our capacity for genuine connection, and living a life less fully expressed.
Soaring Deeper: In Depth Analysis
The Bluebird as a Powerful Symbol
The bluebird is the poem’s central and most potent symbol, carrying multiple layers of meaning. Traditionally, bluebirds are associated with happiness, hope, and renewal. However, in Bukowski’s poem, this bird is not free to embody these joyful qualities. Instead, it is trapped, symbolizing the speaker’s suppressed emotions, his creative impulses, or a deep seated longing for something more meaningful in life. The fact that it resides “in my heart” suggests a deeply personal, intimate, and often painful internal struggle.
Consider these opening lines:
“there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,”
Here, the speaker immediately establishes a clear power dynamic. He asserts that he is “too tough” for the bird, implying a deliberate and conscious act of suppression. This is not a passive state, but an active choice to maintain control over his inner world.
Suppression and Self Destructive Tendencies
The speaker’s efforts to suppress the bluebird are far from passive. He actively attempts to “drown” it with substances, revealing a pattern of self destructive behavior:
“but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke.”
This imagery is stark and impactful. Whiskey and cigarette smoke are not nurturing elements; they are agents of numbing and destruction. The speaker is not trying to comfort the bird, but rather to silence its cries for freedom and expression. This self destructive approach is a recurring theme in Bukowski’s body of work, powerfully highlighting the speaker’s intense internal conflict.
The Performance of Toughness
The speaker is acutely aware of his public image and the persona he wishes to project. He desires to appear strong and invulnerable to the outside world. This concern for his public face is clearly articulated in these lines:
“and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he’s
in there.”
The repetition of “never know” underscores the speaker’s fervent desire for secrecy. He meticulously constructs a facade, carefully concealing his vulnerability from those around him. This performance of toughness, while exhausting, is perceived by him as essential for survival in what he likely views as a harsh and unforgiving world.
Fleeting Moments of Secret Release
Despite his persistent attempts at suppression, the bluebird endures. The speaker, in a complex twist, allows it brief moments of freedom, but only in the utmost privacy of night:
“but I’m too clever, I only let him out.
at night sometimes.
when everybody’s asleep.”
These lines reveal a nuanced relationship. The speaker is not entirely devoid of empathy or connection to his inner self. He acknowledges the bluebird’s fundamental need for freedom and grants it fleeting opportunities for expression, but strictly when no one else is present to witness. This behavior points to a deep seated fear of judgment and a profound reluctance to fully embrace his authentic self in public.
The Unwillingness to Weep
The poem culminates with a deeply poignant image: the bluebird singing softly within, while the speaker steadfastly refuses to shed tears:
“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 bluebird represents an uneasy compromise. The bird is not extinguished; it remains a captive, yet living, part of him. The speaker fully recognizes the emotional weight of this arrangement, acknowledging it is “nice enough to make a man weep,” yet he consciously resists succumbing to that emotion. The final, direct question, “do you?” extends an invitation to the reader, prompting personal reflection on their own experiences with emotional suppression and vulnerability.
Tools of the Poet: Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Bluebird”
Bukowski masterfully employs several literary and poetic devices to convey the poem’s profound themes. Understanding these tools enhances our appreciation of his craft:
- Extended Metaphor: The entire poem is built upon the extended metaphor of the bluebird. This single, sustained comparison represents the speaker’s inner emotions, creativity, and vulnerable self throughout the entire work, allowing for a rich and consistent exploration of his internal conflict.
- Repetition: The recurring lines, “there’s a bluebird in my heart that / wants to get out / but I’m too tough for him,” function as a powerful refrain. This repetition emphasizes the central, ongoing conflict within the speaker and reinforces his determined suppression of his inner self.
- Imagery: Bukowski uses vivid and sensory imagery to create a palpable atmosphere and to symbolize the speaker’s destructive habits. Phrases like “pour whiskey on him and inhale cigarette smoke” paint a clear picture, allowing readers to almost feel and smell the speaker’s attempts to numb his emotions.
- Direct Address: The poem concludes with a direct question, “do you?” This direct address to the reader breaks the fourth wall, creating a sense of intimacy and inviting personal introspection. It encourages readers to connect with the poem’s themes on a deeply personal level, prompting them to consider their own emotional experiences.
- Free Verse: “The Bluebird” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or a consistent metrical pattern. This choice allows Bukowski to create a natural, conversational, and often raw tone, mimicking the unfiltered thoughts and feelings of the speaker, making the poem feel authentic and immediate.
Moments for Reflection
These lines beautifully encapsulate the core themes of the poem and offer excellent points for further contemplation or discussion:
“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 vividly illustrates the speaker’s complex relationship with his inner self. It reveals a fascinating blend of determined suppression, fleeting moments of secret release, and a deeply ingrained fear of vulnerability that shapes his entire existence.
Charles Bukowski’s “The Bluebird” remains a powerful and deeply moving poem, resonating with the universal human struggle between our authentic selves and the protective shields we build. Through its striking imagery, haunting metaphors, and unflinching honesty, this poem invites us all to explore our own emotional landscapes and to thoughtfully question the masks we wear to navigate the world. It is a timeless piece that encourages us to consider what it truly means to be vulnerable, to be human, and to find a way for our own “bluebirds” to sing.