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If you haven't heard of Charles Bukowski, or if you have but have never read any of his work, the special time you didn't even know you were waiting for has finally arrived.
Bukowski was a German-born American author and poet, best known for his gritty, emotionally charged, and deeply passionate writing style.
After moving to the United States at 3 years old, he grew up in Los Angeles and dropped out of college to pursue a writing career in New York City. These efforts were initially unsuccessful, and Bukowski fell into a decade-long alcoholic stupor, which he finally pulled himself out of after developing a bleeding ulcer as a result.
In order to achieve his dream of success as writer, he spent years working in a wide range of brutal, blue collar, unglamorous-as-they-come jobs — dishwasher, truck driver/loader, mail carrier, guard, gas station attendant, stock boy, warehouse worker, shipping clerk, post office clerk, parking lot attendant, Red Cross orderly, elevator operator, dog biscuit factory worker, slaughterhouse worker, cake and cookie factory worker, and poster hanger in New York City subways.
He went on publish his first book of poetry — Flower, Fist, and Bestial Wail — in 1959, followed by more than 45 books of poetry and prose, from that point until his death in 1994.
Over the course of his life he experienced several complicated relationships with women, including a two-year marriage to a woman he had never seen before they wed, a first love and muse who devastated him with her untimely death, and a long-time live-in girlfriend with whom he had his only child, Marina, and whom he referred to as a "white-haired hippie," "shack-job," and "old snaggle-tooth."
His own love life might not be one many of us would choose to follow in the footsteps of, no question.
But regardless, his words on love and longing and some of the most powerful you will ever come across, no question there either.
Don't take my word for it though.
Here are 12 of Charles Bukowski's most passionate quotes and love poems, guaranteed to send any woman straight into the throws of passion ...
If you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ... look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious friendship truths, we've got you covered.
"... and we are in bed together laughing and we don't care about anything ..."
"I will remember the kisses our lips raw with love and how you gave me everything you had and how I offered you what was left of me."
"Look, let me put it this way: with me, you're number one and there isn't even a number two."
"A love like that was a serious illness, an illness from which you never entirely recover."
"Stop insisting on clearing your head — clear your fucking heart instead."
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