Bluebird
A poem by Charles Bukowski
There’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I’m not going
to let anybody see
you.
there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he’s
in there.
there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess
me up?
you want to screw up the
works?
you want to blow my book sales in
Europe?
there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too clever, I only let him out
at night sometimes
when everybody’s asleep.
I say, I know that you’re there,
so don’t be sad.
then I put him back,
but he’s still singing a little
in there, I haven’t quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our
secret pact
and it’s nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don’t
weep, do
you?
About Pajaro Azul Psychotherapy
Author Charles Bukowski’s poem Bluebird (Pajaro Azul) serves as a powerful analogy for emotional suppression and vulnerability in psychotherapy. The poem portrays the "bluebird" as a symbol of Bukowski’s softer, more vulnerable emotions—tenderness, sadness, and longing for connection—which he keeps hidden under layers of toughness, cynicism, and self-destructive habits. This parallels the experience of many clients who repress their authentic emotions due to societal conditioning, trauma, or fear of rejection, only allowing brief glimpses of their true selves in moments of isolation, impulsivity, or self-harm.
Bluebird (Pajaro Azul) speaks to the universal struggle between self-protection and emotional honesty, reminding us that no matter how much we try to suppress our pain, our truest emotions always find a way to surface.
No matter how much we try to suppress our pain, our truest emotions always desire to fly free. Pajaro Azul Psychotherapy aims to provide a comfortable space to unmask and discover your authentic self, the place where your vulnerability can take flight.
A bit more about me personally
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent daughter of Cuban immigrants, I understand the challenges of feeling misunderstood, out of place, and rejected. My personal experiences with trauma, chronic illness, and chronic pain deepen my empathy and enrich my trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based approach. My clients often struggle with impulsivity, emotional regulation, sadness, and feelings of emptiness. Yet, they also love deeply, care for others, and possess remarkable creativity and resilience. Yet, they also love deeply, care for others, and possess remarkable creativity and resilience. If you are ready to transform life’s challenges into growth opportunities, we may be a good fit.