All I've ever known are whores, ex-prostitutes,  
madwomen. I see men with quiet,  
gentle women – I see them in the supermarkets,  
I see them walking down the streets together,  
I see them in their apartments: people at  
peace, living together. I know that their  
peace is only partial, but there is  
peace, often hours and days of peace.  
  
all I've ever known are pill freaks, alcoholics,  
whores, ex-prostitutes, madwomen.  
  
when one leaves  
another arrives  
worse than her predecessor.  
  
I see so many men with quiet clean girls in  
gingham dresses  
girls with faces that are not wolverine or  
predatory.  
  
"don't ever bring a whore around," I tell my  
few friends, "I'll fall in love with her."  
  
"you couldn't stand a good woman, Bukowski."  
  
I need a good woman. I need a good woman  
more than I need this typewriter, more than  
I need my automobile, more than I need  
Mozart; I need a good woman so badly that I  
can taste her in the air, I can feel her  
at my fingertips, I can see sidewalks built  
for her feet to walk upon,  
I can see pillows for her head,  
I can feel my waiting laughter,  
I can see her petting a cat,  
I can see her sleeping,  
I can see her slippers on the floor.  
  
I know that she exists  
but where is she upon this earth  
as the whores keep finding me?

Don't ever bring a whore around, I'll fall in love with her