Comparing Journey And The Laughing Heart

“The Laughing Heart,” written by Charles Bukowski and “The Journey,” written by Mary Oliver have many similarities as well as a few differences. The underlying messages proposed by the poets have some noteworthy similarities. Both poems convey the darkness in life and overcoming its obstacles. Bukowski’s theme is to live life to the fullest. Death is inevitable; however, one should not live life in fear. Oliver’s words share the importance of finding one’s own voice and to break free from society’s voice. The darkness expressed in these poems ends with an uplifting and hopeful feeling of warmth.

Charles Bukowski’s “Laughing Heart,” carries the overall message that one is not living unless one seizes opportunities in life; he states “the

gods will offer you chances,” (line 9). These chances, for some, can be the light at the end of the tunnel when one feels surrounded by darkness. The poet describes “the...light there,” (line 15) and “...the darkness” (line 16) which is referring to life and death, a use of figurative language. Bukowski inspires his readers by stating “don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission,” a metaphor to not let life get you down. By taking control of one’s life, the dark paths, consequences, and hardships to face become easier to face and opportunities are discovered.
Throughout Mary Oliver’s “The Journey,” the poem is a continuous build up of anxiety and the feeling of being under pressure.

This anxiousness later subsides to a hopeful resolution towards the end of the poem. In hard times, one must find himself/herself in order to overcome challenges. During this dark time, the poet explains the voice’s in one’s head begin to weaken and compares that to stars which “began to burn through sheets of clouds” (lines 25-26) using imagery and a metaphor. Another use of figurative language was the comparison of a “...road full of fallen/branches and stones,” (lines 21-22) referring to life’s obstacles. Towards the end of the poem, the tone shifts from an overwhelming amount of pressure of other’s voices to a hopeful resolution. The voices that surround whomever the poem is speaking of begin to fade and “little by little/as you left their voices behind,” (lines 23-24). One might gather that the overall all theme is that inner strength is necessary in order to move forward. The last words the poet wrote were crucial to the understanding of the poem. The person in this poem had completely turned their life around. This person had realized the only thing left that they could do: “determined to save/the only life you could save,” (lines 35-36). The only life which could be saved was their

own.
Both “The Laughing Heart” and “The Journey” identify with light and darkness existing in life.

“The Laughing Heart” offers the ideas of not passing up opportunities life gives one or taking things for granted. Even the smallest amounts of things should be cherished, “it may not be much light but/it beats the darkness,” (lines 5-6). “The Journey” depicts perseverance which can help one through difficult situations. In addition, Oliver’s poem sheds light on “the road full of fallen/branches and stones,” (lines 21-22). An easier path does not necessarily mean it is the better one to take. “Laughing Heart” portrays optimism and seeing the bright side of things as well as getting through hard times one may be faced with. In contrast, “The Journey” represents moving forward when times are difficult and overcoming these challenges. Both of these poems end in a heartfelt, or warm tone which conveys a hopeful or inspirational

message.
No one can avoid death, but one should not live their life in constant fear of it. This is one message that can be taken from Bukowski’s “The Laughing Heart”. “The Journey” provides the reader with ideas of finding one’s own voice in society. It is important to use inner strength in order to move forward. Both poems are written in an unusual style which concludes one of the many similarities that the poems share. Even with all that life throws, one can find themselves through hard times.