I think Brautigan was a genius
much better than the glorified Beatniks
I’m always for the underdog
and undiscovered stars.
He wrote In Watermelon Sugar
Trout fishing in America
and many other stories.
I liked his poetry the best
many of my favorite poems were written by him.
He sang with words like wounds
hurt open like the orphan he was
abandoned in poverty
he never knew his true father
for most of his time on earth
he mapped his misunderstood
life into luminous books
full of catfish friends,
lost loves, libraries,
Hamlet on a motorbike
and fragile Ophelia.
He wrote about werewolves crying
over Ferris wheels with streams
of neon colors flowing down it’s cheeks,
lonely widows with food stamps
borrowing firewood
unrequited love and lanterns.
He posed for his black and white book covers
in ten gallon hats with his lovers
gorgeous straight haired goddesses
parted in the middle
with faces like wildflowers.
He was a musician of pens
and sad typewriters
and hand written poems
left in laundromats.
He discovered seemingly simple
combinations of newly reformed words
like newborn constellations.
He made me cry and laugh and adore him
and one of his short stories inspired
me to move to California.
He lost every woman
he ever loved except his daughter
but she lost him to shot gun suicide.
They didn’t discover his body for awhile
in his solitary cabin in the woods.
He was facing a view of the ocean when he died.
Poor Ianthe I hope her life fares so much better
and that they can meet again in Paradise.
Thank you for honoring the writer. I will research and read dear Judy. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the days of Summer.
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I’m glad you will check out his writing, I recommend “Your Catfish Friend” or any of his books of poetry. I am enjoying the summer thank you, and I hope you are too.
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Never heard of this guy so will now keep a look out for his work. Powerful tribute.
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Thanks Jeremy!
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Hello dear Judy. I re-posted my Santa Cruz story. I hope you will like. Have fun and be safe.
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Hi John, thank you for reposting Santa Cruz poem, I’m honored that you liked it.❤️
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I read and enjoyed several of Brautigan’s works when I was in my 20s. Sadly, over time he slipped into despair, and his work slipped into obscurity. He still has a cult following, but I seldom meet people who’ve read him. Good on you, Judy.
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I read his poems when I was in my twenties too, good age to read him 🙂. I met two people who knew him, both said he was destroyed by alcoholism. I read a biography about him and you’re right he became more depressed, he had a sad childhood full of poverty and neglect. I wish more people knew of him. Thanks for your comment Mitch.
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