Charles Bukowski (1920 - 1994)
HEMINGWAY, DRUNK BEFORE NOON

she knew Hemingway in Cuba
and she took this photo of him one day
drunk before noon—
he was stretched on the floor
face puffed with drink
gut hanging out over his
belt, hardly looking
macho
at all.

he heard the click of the camera,
lifted his head a bit from the
floor and
said, "Sister, don't you ever publish that
photo."

I have the photo framed now
on the south wall
facing the door.

the lady gifted me this
bit.

now her book has just been
issued by Rusconi (Italy) and is
called
HEMINGWAY.

there are photos:
Hemingway with the lady and a
dog.

Hemingway's work
room.

Hemingway feeding a
cat.

Hemingway's bed.

Mary Hemingway with the
lady.

Hemingway and Mary, Venezia, 31
ottobre 1948.

Hemingway and the
lady.

Hemingway and
Ettore Sottsass jr.

Hemingway, Venezia, marzo
1954.

but
no photo
of Hemingway
soused before
noon.

from a man who was very good
with the word

the lady had kept
it.

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