The Laughing Heart - Charles Bukowski - A Short Film

My Country

I saw America

on a postage stamp

she was young

promise-filled

naive and proud

before Korea

and Vietnam

and all the wars

before and after

she was a refuge

a champion

her eyes bright

with spirit and dreams

I saw America

on a postage stamp

she was faded

and worn

her glory, diminished

heart-broken

drowning in the shadows

of greed, apathy

and regret

Day's End

the sun set quickly

in a rush

like a stolen kiss

it was there

then it was

just a glow

along the edge of the world.

her hair caught in the wind

danced and whipped 

about her golden face

like the forgotten flags

of a lost country.

she sighed

and her heart felt full

but also empty.

World's End

will you hold my hand

when it all comes

crashing down

when the world ends

when the mind bends

will you fall with me

sink like a stone

tell me you love me

take me to the quiet

take me to the night

will I feel you there

when the world ends

will you look in my eyes

will you smile

will we cry

when the world ends

will you hold my hand

tell me you love me

tell me goodbye

then nothing else matters

just hold my hand

when the world ends