The Bluebird

by Charles Bukowski 

there’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I’m not going
to let anybody see you.

there’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out
but I pour whiskey on him and inhale cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders and the grocery clerks
never know that he’s in there.

there’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,.
I say,. stay down, do you want to mess me up?.
you want to screw up the works?
you want to blow my book sales in Europe?

there’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out.
but I’m too clever, I only let him out at night sometimes
when everybody’s asleep..
I say, I know that you’re there,.
so don’t be sad.