Inverted Love Song (1 Viewer)

[Delaney]

I am doing an essay about the Bukowski poem "Inverted Love Song". I am struggling with the meaning of the line "realize the myth of mercy/stand still". Anyone willing to point me in the right direction? Thank you

 

[mjp]

You should find a copy of New York Quarterly No. 8 from 1971 to make sure the poem you're essaying about hasn't been tampered with after Bukowski died.

 

[BadBadams]

What is the focus question or theme of your essay? Notwithstanding any potential editing between NYQ and The People Look Like Flowers At Last, in basic terms that line is merely summarising the poem's overall point: that humans beings have no brain, no heart, no "mercy" ... though we may want to believe they do. Which is actually kind-a the opposite of that posthumous collection's title (finally seeing the good in people, as flowers).