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

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

“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