Skip to content

Books Quote by Charles Bukowski

“I have been hanging here headless for so long that the body has forgotten why or where or when it happened and the toes walk along in shoes that do not care and although the fingers slice things and hold things and move things and touch things such as oranges apples onions books bodies I am no…” quote by Charles Bukowski
Download Open image
““I have been hanging here headless for so long that the body has forgotten why or where or when it happened and the toes walk along in shoes that do not care and although the fingers slice things and hold things and move things and touch things such as oranges apples onions books bodies I am no longer reasonably sure what these things are they are mostly like lamplight and fog then often the hands will go to the lost head and hold the head like the hands of a child around a ball a block air and wood - no teeth no thinking part and when a window blows open to a church hill woman dog or something singing the fingers of the hand are senseless to vibration because they have no ears senseless to color because they have no eyes senseless to smell without a nose they country goes by as nonsense the continents the daylights and evenings shine on my dirty fingernails and in some mirror my face a block to vanish scuffed part of a child’s ball while everywhere moves worms and aircraft fires on the land tall violets in sanctity my hands let go let go let go””

Charles Bukowski

About This Quote

Source Poem: Untitled, 1970s (various collections)

A disjointed, surreal description of a body feeling detached from its senses and identity, reflecting alienation and existential confusion

In simple terms: Feeling detached from self and senses

Key Takeaway

Observe your own disconnection and seek grounding

Themes

alienation existentialism surrealism

Mood

disorienting melancholic introspective

Type

poetic stream‑of‑consciousness

When to use this quote

  • Artistic creation
  • mental health reflection
  • creative writing
  • philosophical introspection

Key Concepts

Identity crisis sensory deprivation body metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sensory loss affect self‑perception?
  • What anchors you when you feel detached?
A Different Perspective

The imagery may obscure rather than clarify the intended message

4.4 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by Charles Bukowski

Explore all 1,492 Charles Bukowski quotes

More Books quotes

Browse all 59,505 Books quotes