Waste of $12 Dollars

Bukowski used to be my hero

until I paid $12 dollars

to watch a documentary called

You Never Had It:

An Evening with Bukowski –

I felt bad for Bukowski.

Linda looked at him disgustedly

like he was full of shit,

the way I knew he was.

I can’t imagine thinking

everything you say

has to be poetic.

His dialogue seemed unnatural,

typed, planned... at least in the interview.

He hid behind a persona

of booze, smokes, and sex.

I could tell it was tiresome for him

to think up something

prolific to say

to match his persona.

He looked asinine. Condescending.

I never wanted it to be this way

but your heroes expose their flaws,

and at some point,

you have to become your own hero.

Maybe it wasn’t a waste of $12 dollars,

but an investment.

Ken is a writer and teacher who enjoys train rides, typewriters and Blues music. He has a BA from Saint Joe's University in Philly. His novel "Late to Bed, Late to Rise" was published with Black Rose Writing. Ken’s work has appeared in Ink & Voices, Conceit Magazine, Spontaneous Spirits Magazine, DoveTales Journal and is forthcoming in Gargoyle Magazine. He lives in California with his wife-to-be.