Roll the Dice - Charles Bukowski

**Marjan v.d. Meulen** · 02-02-2008, 02:35 PM

I live in the Netherlands and there is no way I can find the poem Roll the Dice.
Is there someone who can help me by giving me the word of that poem?
Thank you very much.
Marian, Valkenburg, The Netherlands

**Father Luke** · 02-02-2008, 02:51 PM

roll the dice

if you’re going to try, go all the
way.
otherwise, don’t even start.

if you’re going to try, go all the
way.
this could mean losing girlfriends,
wives, relatives, jobs and
maybe your mind.

go all the way.
it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days.
it could mean freezing on a
park bench.
it could mean jail,
it could mean derision,
mockery,
isolation.
isolation is the gift,
all the others are a test of your
endurance, of
how much you really want to
do it.
and you’ll do it
despite rejection and the worst odds
and it will be better than
anything else
you can imagine.

if you’re going to try,
go all the way.
there is no other feeling like
that.
you will be alone with the gods
and the nights will flame with
fire.

do it, do it, do it.
do it.

all the way
all the way.

you will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, its
the only good fight
there is.

- Charles Bukowski

**Marjan v.d. Meulen** · 02-02-2008, 02:56 PM

Dear Father Luke,

Thank you very much!!

Regards, Marjan

**Ponder** · 02-02-2008, 03:08 PM

Hoi Marjan,

Dit gedicht is verzameld in de bundel: What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.
Is er een aparte reden waarom je dit gedicht zoekt?

Geniet van Buknet, het is een wáre ontdekkingsreis.

**Father Luke** · 02-02-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marjan v.d. Meulen

Thank you very much!!

What Ponder said.

**Ponder** · 02-02-2008, 03:22 PM

You're quite linguistic, Father Luke!

**Father Luke** · 02-02-2008, 03:29 PM

I have help.

**Gerard K H Love** · 02-02-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father Luke

I have help.

OK Father Smarty Pants,what does the v.d. stand for? I'm guessing Van Der?And Welcome, good question....I needed to see that poem again. Father Luke is a good ol' boy.

**Ponder** · 02-02-2008, 04:05 PM

The translation machine doesn't tell me what v. d. stands for

**Bukfan** · 02-02-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponder

The translation machine doesn't tell me what v. d. stands for

It stands for "Venereal Disease"

**Gerard K H Love** · 02-02-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bukfan

It stands for "Venereal Disease"

That came to mind but is this anyway to welcome our newest posting member? I Like Van Der.

**Bukfan** · 02-02-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerard K H Love

That came to mind but is this anyway to welcome our newest posting member? I Like Van Der.

Probably not - but I could´nt resist!

Oh, I almost forgot. Welcome to the message board, Marjan!

**Marjan v.d. Meulen** · 02-03-2008, 06:13 AM

I was happy with Father Luke's answer and I like his short and good manners.
But thank you all for welcoming me.
But to find out out that I can find in What matters most is how well you walk through the fire (beautifull title) is also of help. Ponder: Yes, the reason is that when I heard a part of it some time ago (on Dutch radio, I think read by a singer of U2) it gave me goosepimples from head to toes. I want to read more of his poetry. Bent U Nederlands? (100y from the Rhine) of Duits? Gerard K.H. Love and Bukfan: Thanks too, and yes, v.d. means "van der".
Kind regards from
Marjan

**Father Luke** · 02-03-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marjan v.d. Meulen

I heard a part of it some time ago (on Dutch radio, I think read by a singer of U2) it gave me goosepimples from head to toes. I want to read more of his poetry.

Click H E R E

Click H E R E

and

H E R E

- -
Okay,
Father Luke

**Marjan v.d. Meulen** · 02-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Father Luke,

Woooow, thank you!!!
You made more people happy I guess, since I suppose everyone can use the links.
Hope you are doing well.
Kindest regards,
Marjan

**Father Luke** · 02-04-2008, 05:51 PM

It was already on the internet.

Best and all that.

02-02-2008, 02:35 PM	#1
Marjan v.d. Meulen Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 12	Roll the Dice I live in the Netherlands and there is no way I can find the poem Roll the Dice. Is there someone who can help me by giving me the word of that poem? Thank you very much. Marian, Valkenburg, The Netherlands

02-02-2008, 02:51 PM	#2
Father Luke Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company. Posts: 3,501	roll the dice if you’re going to try, go all the way. otherwise, don’t even start. if you’re going to try, go all the way. this could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs and maybe your mind. go all the way. it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days. it could mean freezing on a park bench. it could mean jail, it could mean derision, mockery, isolation. isolation is the gift, all the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. and you’ll do it despite rejection and the worst odds and it will be better than anything else you can imagine. if you’re going to try, go all the way. there is no other feeling like that. you will be alone with the gods and the nights will flame with fire. do it, do it, do it. do it. all the way all the way. you will ride life straight to perfect laughter, its the only good fight there is. - Charles Bukowski

02-02-2008, 02:56 PM	#3
Marjan v.d. Meulen Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 12	Dear Father Luke, Thank you very much!! Regards, Marjan

02-02-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
Ponder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Down by the river Posts: 2,443	Hoi Marjan, Dit gedicht is verzameld in de bundel: What matters most is how well you walk through the fire. Is er een aparte reden waarom je dit gedicht zoekt? Geniet van Buknet, het is een wáre ontdekkingsreis.

02-02-2008, 03:22 PM	#6
Ponder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Down by the river Posts: 2,443	You're quite linguistic, Father Luke!

02-02-2008, 03:29 PM	#7
Father Luke Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company. Posts: 3,501	I have help.

02-02-2008, 04:05 PM	#9
Ponder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Down by the river Posts: 2,443	The translation machine doesn't tell me what v. d. stands for

02-03-2008, 06:13 AM	#13
Marjan v.d. Meulen Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 12	I was happy with Father Luke's answer and I like his short and good manners. But thank you all for welcoming me. But to find out out that I can find in What matters most is how well you walk through the fire (beautifull title) is also of help. Ponder: Yes, the reason is that when I heard a part of it some time ago (on Dutch radio, I think read by a singer of U2) it gave me goosepimples from head to toes. I want to read more of his poetry. Bent U Nederlands? (100y from the Rhine) of Duits? Gerard K.H. Love and Bukfan: Thanks too, and yes, v.d. means "van der". Kind regards from Marjan

02-04-2008, 02:15 PM	#15
Marjan v.d. Meulen Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 12	Father Luke, Woooow, thank you!!! You made more people happy I guess, since I suppose everyone can use the links. Hope you are doing well. Kindest regards, Marjan

02-04-2008, 05:51 PM	#16
Father Luke Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company. Posts: 3,501	It was already on the internet. Best and all that.