Poem by Charles Bukowski

I wonder, is it possible to love a human being?
Of course, especially if you don’t know them too well.
I like to watch people through the window,
as they wander down the street.
Stirkoff, you are a coward.
Certainly, sir.
And what is your definition of a coward?
Someone who would think twice
before facing a lion with no weapon in hand.
And what is your definition of a brave man?
One who doesn’t know what a lion is.
Everyone knows what a lion is,
every man assumes he does.
And what is your definition of a fool?
One who does not understand that Time, the Skeleton, and the Muscles
are being utterly wasted.
Then, who is a wise man?
There are no wise men, sir.
Then there can be no fools either.
If there is no night, there can be no day,
if there is no white,
there can be no black.
Forgive me, sir!
I thought everything was simply what it was,
not depending on something else.