Bugs in a Bowl

While shelving books at work the other day, I felt an irrational surge of anger towards Charles Bukowski for coming between David Budbill and Hayden Carruth. 

In honor of National Poetry Month, of which today is the final day, here is my favorite poem by David Budbill, favorite poet of so many people who "don't like poetry". From his collection Moment to Moment:

     Bugs in a Bowl

Han Shan, that great and crazy, wonder-filled Chinese poet of a thousand years ago, said:

We're just like bugs in a bowl. All day going around never leaving their bowl.

I say, That's right! Every day climbing up
the steep sides, sliding back.

Over and over again. Around and around.
Up and back down.

Sit in the bottom of the bowl, head in your hands,
cry, moan, feel sorry for yourself.

Or. Look around. See your fellow bugs.
Walk around.

Say, Hey, how you doin'?
Say, Nice Bowl!