Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame question

Hi Everyone!!

There is a very specific poem, I have been trying to find the name and author for, and then eventually find it in print. (Below).

Across the internet it seems to be attributed to Bukowski, burning in water drowning in flame, and to a poem called Lost. However, I own this book and while there is a poem lost, it is not the same poem and this particular poem is not even in this book, unless there is a different editon or printing. Mine is Ecco Harper Collins.

Does anyone know what this poem is and who it is written by, if not Charles Bukowski??

I appreciate anyone’s help! I can’t seem to solve this one solo!

“they say that hell is crowded, yet,
when you’re in hell,
you always seem to be alone.
& you can’t tell anyone when you’re in hell
or they’ll think you’re crazy
& being crazy is being in hell
& being sane is hellish too.

those who escape hell, however,
never talk about it
& nothing much bothers them after that.
I mean, things like missing a meal,
going to jail, wrecking your car,
or even the idea of death itself.

when you ask them,
“how are things?”
they’ll always answer, “fine, just fine…”
once you’ve been to hell and back,
that’s enough
it’s the greatest satisfaction known to man.
once you’ve been to hell and back,
you don’t look behind you when the floor creaks
and the sun is always up at midnight
and things like the eyes of mice
or an abandoned tire in a vancant lot
can make you smile
once you’ve been to hell and back.”

Karen