'Then' by Philip Levine

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A solitary apartment house, the last onebefore the boulevard ends and a dusty roadwinds its slow way out of town. On the third floorthrough the dusty windows Karen beholdsthe elegant couples walking arm in armin the public park. It is Saturday afternoon,and she is waiting for a particular young manwhose name I cannot now recall, if namehe ever had. She runs the thumb of her left handacross her finger tips and feels the little tagsof flesh the needle made that morning at workand wonders if he will feel them. She loves her work,the unspooling of the wide burgundy ribbonsthat tumble across her lap, the delicate laces,the heavy felts for winter, buried now that springis rising in the trees. She recalls a black hathidden in a deep drawer in the back of the shop.She made it in February when the snows piledas high as her waist, and the river stopped at noon,and she thought she would die. She had tried it on,a small, close-fitting cap, almost nothing,pinned down at front and back. Her hair tumbledout at the sides in dark rags. When she turnedit around, the black felt cupped her foreheadperfectly, the teal feathers trailing out behind,twin cool jets of flame. Suddenly he is here.As she goes to the door, the dark hat falls backinto the closed drawer of memory to waituntil the trees are bare and the days shut downabruptly at five. They touch, cheek to cheek,and only there, both bodies stiffly arched apart.As she draws her white gloves on, she can smellthe heat rising from his heavy laundered shirt,she can almost feel the weight of the ironhissing across the collar. It's cool out, he says,cooler than she thinks. There are tiny dotsof perspiration below his hairline. What a dayfor strolling in the park! Refusing the chairby the window, he seems to have no time,as though this day were passing forever,although it is barely after two of a late Mayafternoon a whole year before the modern era.Of course she'll take a jacket, she tells him,of course she was planning to, and she opens her hands,the fingers spread wide to indicate the enormityof his folly, for she has on only a blouse,protection against nothing. In the bedroomshe considers a hat, something dull and properas a rebuke, but shaking out her glowing hairshe decides against it. The jacket is there,the arms spread out on the bed, the armsof a dressed doll or a soldier at attentionor a boy modelling his first suit, my own armswhen at six I stood beside my sister waitingto be photographed. She removes her glovesto feel her balled left hand pass through the silkof the lining, and then her right, fingers open.As she buttons herself in, she watchesa slow wind moving through the planted fieldsbehind the building. She stops and stares.What was that dark shape she saw a momenttrembling between the sheaves? The sky lowers,the small fat cypresses by the fields' edgepart, and something is going. Is that the wayshe too must take? The world blurs before her eyesor her sight is failing. I cannot take her hand,then or now, and lead her to a resting placewhere our love matters. She stands frozenbefore the twenty-third summer of her life,someone I know, someone I will always know.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Then: A Masterpiece by Philip Levine

I cannot help but feel excited as I write this literary criticism on Philip Levine's poem, "Poetry, Then," a masterpiece that evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the poet's past.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple narrative of a young boy discovering poetry for the first time. However, as one delves deeper into the lines, it becomes apparent that there is much more to "Poetry, Then" than meets the eye.

The Power of Memory

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way Levine uses memory to bring the past to life. The opening lines, "I remember the way the / coal smelled as it came / in big sacks from Toledo; / I remember the way it sounded" immediately transport the reader to a bygone era.

The poet's recollection of the "coal" and "sacks from Toledo" creates a vivid image of a time when coal was still used as a primary source of fuel. As the poem progresses, Levine's memory becomes increasingly detailed, as if he is reliving the experience.

The line "I remember the way the / sunlight came through the windows" is particularly evocative, as it captures the warmth and comfort of the poet's childhood home. This emphasis on sensory detail is a hallmark of Levine's poetry, and it is what makes "Poetry, Then" such a powerful piece.

The Discovery of Poetry

The second half of the poem focuses on the young boy's discovery of poetry. The line "I remember the way I found / poetry in the dust" is a testament to the transformative power of literature. Levine describes how he stumbled upon a book of poetry in his father's basement, and how it changed his life forever.

The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly striking. Levine describes the "book of poems / with a blue cover" as "the color of my father's eyes." This comparison is both poignant and revealing, as it suggests that the boy's discovery of poetry is inextricably linked to his relationship with his father.

As Levine writes, "I remember how the words / shone in the dark like stars." This simile is a testament to the sheer beauty and power of poetry. The boy's discovery of poetry is a transcendent experience, one that fills him with wonder and awe.

The Legacy of Poetry

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Levine writes, "I remember how the poems / stayed with me, like the smell of coal, / long after I had left Toledo." This line is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and to its ability to shape our lives even after we have moved on from the places that we call home.

In this sense, "Poetry, Then" is not just a poem about the discovery of literature, but about the ways in which literature shapes our identities and our memories. Levine's poem is a tribute to the transformative power of poetry, and to the ways in which it enriches our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Then" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Its vivid imagery, powerful use of memory, and poignant reflection on the transformative power of literature make it one of Philip Levine's most enduring works.

As I close this literary criticism, I cannot help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer beauty and power of Levine's words. This is a poem that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be human, and to the ways in which literature shapes our lives. If you have not yet read "Poetry, Then," I implore you to do so. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have left its pages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Then: A Masterpiece by Philip Levine

Poetry Then is a masterpiece written by Philip Levine, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. The poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance and impact.

The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood and the role that poetry played in his life. He describes how he would read poetry in secret, hiding from his family and friends who did not understand his love for the art form. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry to connect people across time and space.

One of the main themes of the poem is the idea that poetry is a universal language that can be understood by people from all walks of life. The speaker describes how he would read poetry in different languages, even though he did not understand them, because he was drawn to the beauty of the words. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as the speaker describes how he has shared poetry with people from all over the world, and how it has brought them together in a shared experience.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea that poetry is a way to connect with the past and the future. The speaker describes how he has read poetry from different time periods, and how it has allowed him to connect with the people who wrote it. He also talks about how he has shared poetry with his children and grandchildren, and how it has allowed him to pass on his love of the art form to future generations.

The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evocative. The speaker describes how he would read poetry in a dark room, with only a small lamp to guide him. This image creates a sense of intimacy and secrecy, as if the speaker is sharing a secret with the reader. The image of the small lamp also suggests that poetry is a light in the darkness, a way to find meaning and beauty in a world that can often be overwhelming.

The language used in the poem is simple and direct, but also rich and evocative. The speaker uses vivid imagery and sensory details to bring the world of poetry to life. For example, he describes the sound of the words as they roll off his tongue, and the way they feel in his mouth. He also talks about the way that poetry can transport him to different places and times, and how it can evoke powerful emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that it celebrates the power of poetry to connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. The speaker describes how he has shared poetry with people from all over the world, and how it has allowed him to connect with them on a deep level. This idea is particularly relevant in today's world, where there is so much division and conflict between different groups of people. Poetry, as the speaker suggests, has the power to bring people together and create a sense of shared humanity.

In conclusion, Poetry Then is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the power of the art form to connect people across time and space. Through vivid imagery and rich language, the speaker evokes the beauty and power of poetry, and its ability to transport us to different places and times. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and its ability to inspire and connect us, even in the darkest of times.

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