tags: charles bukowski
(from an interview between Charles Bukowski and Jean-François Duval, in February 1986, called “An Evening at Buk’s Place (February 17, 1986)”)
J.-F.D: Does that mean that you came to appreciate loneliness more than mixing with people? First it’s hard to be alone? And then you get so used to it that you can’t do otherwise, you need it…
C.B.: Well for me it was never hard to be alone. It always felt best…It’s natural. Some animals, they dig a hole in the ground, they go underground. He feels good alone in a hole. It’s my natural instinct. When I’m alone, I charge my batteries. I build. That’s just that. I feel good. I’ve never been lonely. I’ve been depressed. I’ve been suicidal. But being lonely means another person will solve your problem. Loneliness means you need something or somebody, so I never had loneliness in that sense. I never felt like another person would solve my problem. I always felt that I would solve my problem. So all I needed was myself.
——
J.-F.D: Where is hope? And hope in your work?
C.B.: The hope is a touch of graceful humor, no matter what’s occuring. The ability to laugh, the ability to see the ridiculous, the ability not to tense up too much, when things become impossible, just to face them anyhow. A touch of humor. Let’s say laughter through the flame. Or, guts. Courage…Humor, guts, and courage, no matter the odds. We can always face that…
