'Salts And Oils' by Philip Levine

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In Havana in 1948 I ate fried dog
believing it was Peking duck. Later,
in Tampa I bunked with an insane sailor
who kept a .38 Smith and Wesson in his shorts.
In the same room were twins, oilers
from Toledo, who argued for hours
each night whose turn it was
to get breakfast and should he turn
the eggs or not. On the way north
I lived for three days on warm water
in a DC-6 with a burned out radio
on the runway at Athens, Georgia. We sang
a song, "Georgia's Big Behind," and prayed
for WWIII and complete, unconditional surrender.
Napping in an open field near Newport News,
I chewed on grass while the shadows of September
lengthened; in the distance a man hammered
on the roof of a hangar and groaned how he
was out of luck and vittles. Bummed a ride
in from Mitchell Field and had beet borscht
and white bread at 34th and 8th Avenue.
I threw up in the alley behind the YMCA
and slept until they turned me out.
I walked the bridge to Brooklyn
while the East River browned below.
A mile from Ebbetts Field, from all
that history, I found Murray, my papa's
buddy, in his greasy truck shop, polishing
replacement parts. Short, unshaven, puffed,
he strutted the filthy aisles,
a tiny Ghengis Khan. He sent out for soup
and sandwiches. The world turned on barley,
pickled meats, yellow mustard, kasha,
rye breads. It rained in October, rained
so hard I couldn't walk and smoke, so I
chewed pepsin chewing gum. The rain
spoiled Armistice Day in Lancaster, Pa.
The open cars overflowed, girls cried,
the tubas and trombones went dumb,
the floral displays shredded, the gutters
clogged with petals. Afterwards had ham
on buttered whole-wheat bread, ham
and butter for the first time
on the same day in Zanesville with snow
forecast, snow, high winds, closed roads,
solid darkness before 5 p.m. These were not
the labors of Hercules, these were not
of meat or moment to anyone but me
or destined for story or to learn from
or to make me fit to take the hand
of a toad or a toad princess or to stand
in line for food stamps. One quiet morning
at the end of my thirteenth year a little bird
with a dark head and tattered tail feathers
had come to the bedroom window and commanded
me to pass through the winding miles
of narrow dark corridors and passageways
of my growing body the filth and glory
of the palatable world. Since then I've
been going out and coming back
the way a swallow does with unerring grace
and foreknowledge because all of this
was prophesied in the final, unread book
of the Midrash and because I have to
grow up and because it pleases me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Salts And Oils: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Philip Levine's Salts And Oils is one of the most remarkable collections of poetry ever written. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and style of this book of poetry. We will also examine some of the most memorable poems in this collection and explain their significance.

Themes

Salts And Oils is a collection of poems that explores the human condition. Levine uses his poetry to investigate themes such as love, loss, death, and the passing of time. His poetry also examines the struggles of the working class and the complexities of human relationships.

One of the most striking themes in Salts And Oils is the idea of memory. Levine's poetry is filled with recollections of the past, and he often reflects on the moments that have shaped his life. He uses his poems to explore the way in which memories can impact a person's present and future.

Another key theme in Salts And Oils is the concept of identity. Levine's poetry examines the way in which people define themselves and how their experiences shape their sense of self. His poems often focus on the internal struggles of his characters as they try to come to terms with who they are.

Language and Style

Levine's language is deceptively simple. He uses plain, everyday language to convey complex ideas and emotions. His poetry is characterized by its clarity and directness, which makes it accessible to a wide audience.

At the same time, Levine's poetry is deeply emotional. He uses vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke powerful emotions in his readers. He is also a master of the metaphor, using them to create connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and concepts.

Levine's style is also characterized by its honesty and authenticity. His poetry is raw and unfiltered, and he does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of the human experience. He is also known for his ability to capture the voices and experiences of working-class people, and his poetry often reflects his own experiences growing up in a blue-collar family.

Memorable Poems

One of the most memorable poems in Salts And Oils is "The Mercy." This poem explores the idea of forgiveness and the way in which it can transform a person's life. In the poem, Levine reflects on a moment from his childhood when he and his brother killed a cat. The guilt from this act haunted Levine for years, and it was only through the act of forgiveness that he was able to move on.

Another notable poem in Salts And Oils is "They Feed They Lion." This poem is a powerful indictment of the societal forces that oppress and exploit working-class people. The poem uses vivid language and bold imagery to convey the sense of anger and frustration that Levine feels towards the system.

A third memorable poem in Salts And Oils is "The Simple Truth." This poem is a celebration of the ordinary moments in life. Levine reflects on the beauty of everyday experiences such as washing dishes and walking down the street. The poem is a reminder that even the most mundane moments can be full of meaning and significance.

Interpretation

Salts And Oils is a deeply personal collection of poetry that reflects Levine's own experiences and emotions. His poetry is a reflection of the struggles and joys of the human experience, and it is a testament to the power of language to convey complex emotions.

At its core, Salts And Oils is a celebration of life. Levine's poetry is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is beauty and meaning to be found. His work is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the human imagination.

In conclusion, Salts And Oils is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be read and studied by anyone who is interested in the human experience. Levine's language is simple yet profound, and his themes are universal. His poetry is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is hope and beauty to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Salts And Oils: A Masterpiece of Philip Levine

Philip Levine, the American poet, and Pulitzer Prize winner, has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with his works that are deeply rooted in the working-class experience. His poetry is a reflection of his own life, growing up in Detroit, working in factories, and experiencing the struggles of the working-class. One of his most celebrated works is the collection of poems titled "Poetry Salts And Oils," which was published in 1980. In this article, we will delve into the world of "Poetry Salts And Oils" and explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Levine to create a masterpiece of modern poetry.

The collection of poems in "Poetry Salts And Oils" is a reflection of Levine's own life experiences, and the poems are deeply rooted in the working-class experience. The poems are a testament to the struggles of the working-class, and Levine's ability to capture the essence of their lives is what makes this collection so powerful. The poems are raw, honest, and unapologetic, and they speak to the heart of the human experience.

One of the most prominent themes in "Poetry Salts And Oils" is the struggle of the working-class. Levine's poems are a reflection of the harsh realities of life for those who work in factories and other blue-collar jobs. In the poem "The Simple Truth," Levine writes, "Some things / you know all your life. / They are so simple and true / they must be said without elegance, / meter and rhyme, / they must be laid / on the table beside the salt shaker, / the glass of water, the absence / of light gathering in the shadows / of picture frames, they must be / naked and alone, they must stand / for themselves." This poem is a powerful reflection of the struggle of the working-class, and it speaks to the truth that sometimes the most profound things in life are the simplest.

Another prominent theme in "Poetry Salts And Oils" is the idea of identity. Levine's poems explore the idea of identity and how it is shaped by our experiences. In the poem "The Mercy," Levine writes, "In the city of factories / I was born / and raised / among the working people / who knew mercy / and hardship / and who loved life / despite the toughness / of their days." This poem is a reflection of Levine's own identity and how it was shaped by his experiences growing up in Detroit. The poem speaks to the idea that our identity is shaped by the people and places we come from, and that our experiences shape who we are.

Levine's use of literary devices in "Poetry Salts And Oils" is also noteworthy. One of the most prominent literary devices used by Levine is imagery. Levine's poems are filled with vivid imagery that brings the world of the working-class to life. In the poem "The Simple Truth," Levine writes, "The fish swim in the lake / and do not even own clothing." This image is a powerful reflection of the simplicity of life for those who work in factories and other blue-collar jobs. The image of the fish swimming in the lake without clothing is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most profound things in life are the simplest.

Another literary device used by Levine in "Poetry Salts And Oils" is repetition. Levine's use of repetition is a powerful tool that he uses to emphasize the themes and motifs in his poems. In the poem "The Mercy," Levine writes, "I am the man who has to pay / his way with pain." This repetition of the phrase "I am the man" emphasizes the idea of identity and how it is shaped by our experiences. The repetition of this phrase is a powerful reminder that our experiences shape who we are.

In conclusion, "Poetry Salts And Oils" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of the working-class experience, identity, and the human condition. Levine's ability to capture the essence of the working-class experience is what makes this collection so powerful. His use of literary devices such as imagery and repetition adds depth and complexity to his poems, making them a reflection of the human experience. "Poetry Salts And Oils" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to speak to the heart of the human condition.

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