'Magpiety' by Philip Levine

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You pull over to the shoulderof the two-lane
road and sit for a moment wonderingwhere you were going
in such a hurry. The valley is burnedout, the oaks
dream day and night of rainthat never comes.
At noon or just before noonthe short shadows
are gray and hold what littlelife survives.
In the still heat the engineclicks, although
the real heat is hours ahead.You get out and step
cautiously over a low wirefence and begin
the climb up the yellowed hill.A hundred feet
ahead the trunks of twofallen oaks
rust; something passes overthem, a lizard
perhaps or a trick of sight.The next tree
you pass is unfamiliar,the trunk dark,
as black as an olive's; the lowbranches stab
out, gnarled and dull: a carobor a Joshua tree.
A sudden flaring-up ahead,a black-winged
bird rises from nowhere,white patches
underneath its wings, and is gone.You hear your own
breath catching in your ears,a roaring, a sea
sound that goes on and onuntil you lean
forward to place both hands-- fingers spread --
into the bleached grassesand let your knees
slowly down. Your breath slowsand you know
you're back in centralCalifornia
on your way to San Franciscoor the coastal towns
with their damp sea breezesyou haven't
even a hint of. But firstyou must cross
the Pacheco Pass. Peopleexpect you, and yet
you remain, still leaning forwardinto the grasses
that if you could hear themwould tell you
all you need to know aboutthe life ahead.

...

Out of a sense of modestyor to avoid the truth
I've been writing in the secondperson, but in truth
it was I, not you, who pulledthe green Ford
over to the side of the roadand decided to get
up that last hill to lookback at the valley
he'd come to call home.I can't believe
that man, only thirty-two,less than half
my age, could be the personfashioning these lines.
That was late July of '60.I had heard
all about magpies, how theysnooped and meddled
in the affairs of others, notbirds so much
as people. If you daredto remove a wedding
ring as you washed awaythe stickiness of love
or the cherished odors of anotherman or woman,
as you turned awayfrom the mirror
having admired your new-foundpotency -- humming
"My Funny Valentine" or"Body and Soul" --
to reach for a rough towelor some garment
on which to dry yourself,he would enter
the open window behind youthat gave gratefully
onto the fields and the roadsbathed in dawn --
he, the magpie -- and snatchup the ring
in his hard beak and shoulderhis way back
into the currents of the worldon his way
to the only person who couldchange your life:
a king or a bride or an old womanasleep on her porch.

...

Can you believe the birdstood beside you
just long enough, though farsmaller than you
but fearless in a waya man or woman
could never be? An apparitionwith two dark
and urgent eyes and motionsso quick and precise
they were barely motions at all?When he was gone
you turned, alarmed by the rustlingof oily feathers
and the curious pungency,and were sure
you'd heard him say the wordsthat could explain
the meaning of blond grassesburning on a hillside
beneath the hands of a manin the middle of
his life caught in the postureof prayer. I'd
heard that a magpie could talk,so I waited
for the words, knowing withoutthe least doubt
what he'd do, for up aheadan old woman
waited on her wide front porch.My children
behind her house playedin a silted pond
poking sticks at the slowcarp that flashed
in the fallen sunlight. Youare thirty-two
only once in your life, and thoughJuly comes
too quickly, you pray forthe overbearing
heat to pass. It does, andthe year turns
before it holds still foreven a moment.
Beyond the last carobor Joshua tree
the magpie flashes his suddenwings; a second
flames and vanishes into the paleblue air.
July 23, 1960.I lean down
closer to hear the burned grasseswhisper all I
need to know. The words risearound me, separate
and finite. A yellow dustrises and stops
caught in the noon's driving light.Three ants pass
across the back of my reddenedright hand.
Everything is speaking or singing.We're still here.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Philip Levine's "Magpiety": An Exploration of Life and Death

If you're looking for a poem that will leave you with a lasting impression of beauty and truth, then look no further than Philip Levine's "Magpiety." This powerful piece of literature offers a poignant reflection on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at Levine's masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism, and explore the deeper meanings and themes behind "Magpiety."

Background on Levine and "Magpiety"

Before delving into the poem itself, let's first take a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Philip Levine, who passed away in 2015, was an American poet and teacher whose work often explored the experiences of working-class people. Born in Detroit in 1928, Levine worked in the automotive industry before turning to teaching and writing full-time. He was known for his straightforward, accessible style and his ability to capture the essence of everyday life in his poetry.

"Magpiety" was first published in 1991 as part of Levine's collection "What Work Is." The poem is notable for its sparse, understated language and its vivid imagery, which paints a picture of the natural world and the cycle of life and death.

Literary Analysis of "Magpiety"

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Magpiety" consists of just two stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. Despite its brevity, however, the poem packs a powerful emotional punch, thanks in large part to Levine's masterful use of language and imagery.

Stanza One

The first stanza of "Magpiety" sets the scene and establishes the poem's central metaphor. The speaker describes a magpie that has perched itself on a branch, "the only motionless thing / in the summer's leaving." The magpie, with its black-and-white plumage, is a striking image that immediately captures the reader's attention. The fact that it is the "only motionless thing" in a world that is otherwise in a state of transition and change suggests that it is somehow significant, that it represents something more than just a bird on a branch.

The speaker goes on to describe the magpie's behavior, noting that it "dips its head as if to feed / on the day's last light." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the magpie is feeding not on tangible nourishment, but on something more ephemeral and intangible: the dying light of the day. This image sets up the poem's central metaphor, in which the magpie represents the human soul, feeding on the fleeting moments of life before they are gone forever.

Stanza Two

The second stanza of "Magpiety" takes the metaphor established in the first stanza and extends it, exploring the relationship between life and death. The speaker notes that the magpie "knows what it means, this change," suggesting that it has some innate understanding of the natural world and the cycle of life and death. The speaker then goes on to describe the magpie's flight, noting that it "dips and calls, and then rises / and rises until, flung out / into the dark, it disappears."

This image of the magpie rising into the darkness is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting that the bird is flying towards its own demise. However, the fact that the magpie "calls" as it rises suggests that it is not afraid, that it is embracing its fate with a sense of joy and purpose. This image is reminiscent of the concept of "memento mori," a reminder of one's mortality that is meant to encourage a sense of urgency and appreciation for life.

The final line of the poem, "like everything else," is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Just as the magpie disappears into the darkness, so too will our own lives come to an end. However, the use of the word "magpiety" in the title suggests that there is some deeper meaning to be found in this inevitability of death. The word "magpiety" is a play on the word "piety," which typically refers to religious devotion or reverence. In this context, "magpiety" suggests a reverence for the natural world and the cycle of life and death.

Themes and Interpretations

So, what are we to make of "Magpiety"? At its core, the poem is a reflection on the human experience of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The magpie, with its black-and-white plumage and its ability to feed on the dying light of the day, represents the human soul, which must also feed on the fleeting moments of life before they are gone forever. The bird's flight towards the darkness represents the inevitability of death, but the fact that it "calls" suggests that there is a sense of joy and purpose in this journey towards the unknown.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a call to embrace life fully and appreciate its fleeting nature. The magpie's reverence for the natural world and its acceptance of its own mortality suggest that there is something to be learned from this cycle of life and death. Rather than fearing death and clinging to life, we should embrace the beauty and impermanence of our existence and find joy in the moments we have.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. The magpie, with its ability to understand the natural world and its role in the cycle of life and death, represents a deeper wisdom and understanding that we as humans can strive to emulate. By recognizing our place in the natural world and embracing the impermanence of our existence, we can find a sense of peace and purpose.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Magpiety" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human experience of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Through its vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Philip Levine creates a metaphor that is both beautiful and haunting, reminding us of the inevitability of death but also suggesting that there is a deeper meaning to be found in this cycle of life and death. Whether you read "Magpiety" as a call to embrace life fully or as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, one thing is certain: this poem is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Magpiety: A Masterpiece of Philip Levine

Philip Levine, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his powerful and evocative poems that capture the essence of the working-class experience. His poem "Poetry Magpiety" is no exception. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between poetry and the world around us. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene where he is sitting in a park, reading a book of poetry. He is interrupted by a magpie, a bird known for its thievery, who steals his pen. The speaker is initially annoyed by the bird's behavior, but as he watches it fly away with his pen, he begins to see the beauty in its actions. This moment of realization sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

One of the main themes of "Poetry Magpiety" is the idea that poetry is not just a form of art, but a way of seeing the world. The speaker's encounter with the magpie shows him that there is beauty in unexpected places. The bird's thievery is not just an annoyance, but a reminder that there is wonder in the world around us. This theme is reinforced throughout the poem as the speaker describes the beauty he sees in the city streets, the people he encounters, and the natural world.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea that poetry is a form of resistance. The speaker describes how poetry allows him to resist the forces that seek to control him. He writes, "I write to resist the world that seeks to own me." This line speaks to the power of poetry to give voice to those who are marginalized or oppressed. It is a reminder that poetry can be a tool for social change.

The imagery used in "Poetry Magpiety" is vivid and evocative. The speaker describes the city streets as "a river of light and noise," and the people he encounters as "a parade of faces." These descriptions create a sense of movement and energy that is both chaotic and beautiful. The natural world is also described in vivid detail, with images of "the moon's pale face" and "the sun's red eye." These images create a sense of wonder and awe that is central to the poem's message.

The language used in "Poetry Magpiety" is simple and direct, but also rich in meaning. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to explore different rhythms and cadences. The use of repetition is also important in this poem. The phrase "I write" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's commitment to poetry as a form of resistance. The repetition of the word "magpiety" is also significant. This word is a combination of "magpie" and "piety," and it suggests that poetry is both playful and sacred.

The title of the poem, "Poetry Magpiety," is also significant. It suggests that poetry is both a form of thievery and a form of devotion. The magpie is known for stealing shiny objects, but it is also a symbol of intelligence and adaptability. The word "piety" suggests a sense of reverence or devotion. By combining these two words, Levine creates a title that captures the complexity of poetry as an art form.

In conclusion, "Poetry Magpiety" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between poetry and the world around us. Through vivid imagery and rich language, Levine creates a sense of wonder and awe that is central to the poem's message. The themes of resistance and the power of poetry to give voice to the marginalized are also central to the poem. Overall, "Poetry Magpiety" is a masterpiece that reminds us of the beauty and power of poetry.

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