'Degrees Of Gray In Philipsburg' by Richard Hugo
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The Lady in Kicking Horse Reservoir1973You might come here Sunday on a whim.
Say your life broke down. The last good kiss
you had was years ago. You walk these streets
laid out by the insane, past hotels
that didn't last, bars that did, the tortured try
of local drivers to accelerate their lives.
Only churches are kept up. The jail
turned 70 this year. The only prisoner
is always in, not knowing what he's done.The principal supporting business now
is rage. Hatred of the various grays
the mountain sends, hatred of the mill,
The Silver Bill repeal, the best liked girls
who leave each year for Butte. One good
restaurant and bars can't wipe the boredom out.
The 1907 boom, eight going silver mines,
a dance floor built on springs--
all memory resolves itself in gaze,
in panoramic green you know the cattle eat
or two stacks high above the town,
two dead kilns, the huge mill in collapse
for fifty years that won't fall finally down.Isn't this your life? That ancient kiss
still burning out your eyes? Isn't this defeat
so accurate, the church bell simply seems
a pure announcement: ring and no one comes?
Don't empty houses ring? Are magnesium
and scorn sufficient to support a town,
not just Philipsburg, but towns
of towering blondes, good jazz and booze
the world will never let you have
until the town you came from dies inside?Say no to yourself. The old man, twenty
when the jail was built, still laughs
although his lips collapse. Someday soon,
he says, I'll go to sleep and not wake up.
You tell him no. You're talking to yourself.
The car that brought you here still runs.
The money you buy lunch with,
no matter where it's mined, is silver
and the girl who serves your food
is slender and her red hair lights the wall.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg: A Poetic Exploration of Small Town Life
"You might come here Sunday on a whim. / Say your life broke down. The last good kiss / you had was years ago. You walk these streets / laid out by the insane, past hotels / that didn't last, bars that did, the tortured try / of local drivers to accelerate their lives. / Only churches are kept up. The jail / turned 70 this year. The only prisoner / is always in, not knowing what he's done."
Thus begins Richard Hugo's "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg," a poem that has become a classic in American poetry. First published in 1977 as part of his collection Making Certain It Goes On, the poem can be seen as a reflection on small town life, on the sense of isolation and despair that can permeate such places. But it is also a celebration of the human spirit, of the resilience and creativity that can emerge from even the bleakest of circumstances.
The Place
Philipsburg, Montana is a small mining town located in the western part of the state. Founded in the late 19th century, it experienced a boom in the early 20th century, but declined in the latter half of the century as the mines closed down. By the time Hugo arrived there in the 1960s, it was a ghost town, with a population of only a few hundred. Yet Hugo, who had grown up in Seattle and spent much of his adult life in New York City, found something compelling about the place. He became the director of the creative writing program at the University of Montana and spent much of his time exploring the state, often on motorcycle. Philipsburg became a kind of touchstone for him, a place that embodied both the beauty and the tragedy of Montana.
The Poem
The poem consists of 25 lines, divided into five stanzas of five lines each. The lines are unrhymed and vary in length, but the overall effect is one of a kind of free verse, with a rhythm that is both musical and conversational. The poem is narrated in the second person, as if the speaker is addressing the reader directly, inviting them to enter this world of "degrees of gray."
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its reference to someone "on a whim" coming to Philipsburg, perhaps looking for solace or escape. The description of the town as "laid out by the insane" suggests a kind of madness or chaos, a sense that the town has been shaped by forces beyond human control. The reference to "hotels that didn't last, bars that did" implies a transience, a sense that this is a place where people come and go, where nothing is permanent.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the people who inhabit this world. The "tortured try of local drivers to accelerate their lives" suggests a restlessness, a desire to escape the confines of the town. The reference to the churches as the only buildings kept up implies a kind of religious devotion, a clinging to tradition and faith in the face of adversity. The jail, with its only prisoner who "is always in, not knowing what he's done," suggests a kind of existential despair, a sense that even those who have been punished for their crimes are lost in a world without meaning.
The third stanza introduces the image of the snow that "comes down" on Philipsburg, covering everything in a "frosty film." The use of the word "frosty" suggests a kind of coldness, a feeling of detachment or alienation. The reference to "the blighted blocks" implies a sense of decay, of a town that is slowly dying. The image of the snow as a "mumbled curse" suggests a kind of resentment or bitterness toward the forces that have brought this town to its current state.
The fourth stanza introduces a sense of hope, with the image of "some good woman" who "will take you in and love you again." The use of the word "again" implies a sense of renewal, of second chances. The reference to the "saints of Augustine" implies a kind of religious redemption, a sense that even in this world of darkness there are those who can bring light. The image of the "new white cuffs" suggests a kind of rebirth, a shedding of the old and a embracing of the new.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the snow that "comes down" on Philipsburg. The speaker acknowledges that "you have to pay attention to notice the occasional true / bird singing in this gray town." The use of the word "true" implies a kind of authenticity, a sense that even in this world of artifice and decay there are those who can still sing. The final lines, with their reference to "the light on the mountains" and the "sound of water" suggest a kind of natural beauty, a sense that even in the midst of darkness there is the possibility of light.
Interpretation
At its core, "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" is a poem about the human condition, about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. It is a poem about small town life, but it is also a poem about the human spirit, about the resilience and creativity that can emerge from even the bleakest of circumstances.
The poem can be read as a reflection on the decline of rural America, on the loss of community and tradition that has accompanied the rise of industrialization and urbanization. It is a poem that captures the sense of isolation that can come from living in a town where "the only prisoner / is always in, not knowing what he's done." Yet it is also a poem that celebrates the human capacity for love and connection, for the possibility of renewal and rebirth.
At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the power of language and imagination to transform the world around us. Through his poetic vision, Hugo is able to find beauty and meaning in even the most desolate of landscapes, to see the light that shines even in the darkest of places. It is a testament to the transformative power of art, to the ways in which language can inspire and uplift us even in the face of despair.
Conclusion
In the end, "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a poem about small town life, but it is also a poem about the human experience, about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. Through his poetic vision, Hugo is able to find beauty and hope in even the most desolate of landscapes, to remind us of the power of language and imagination to transform our world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion
Richard Hugo's "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" is a poem that captures the essence of a small town in Montana, and the emotions that come with living in such a place. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion, and it has become a classic in American literature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and emotional impact.
The poem begins with a description of the town of Philipsburg, Montana, which is described as a place where "the storefronts are boarded up / and the sidewalks are cracked and broken." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of decay and neglect. The town is described as a place where "the bars are full of bitter men / who suck back whiskey and beer / and talk about the good old days / when the mines were still open." This image of bitter men drinking in bars is a powerful one, and it sets the stage for the emotional impact of the poem.
The poem then shifts to a description of the landscape surrounding the town. The speaker describes the "gray mountains" that surround the town, and the "gray clouds" that hang over it. This image of grayness is repeated throughout the poem, and it becomes a symbol for the emotional state of the people who live in the town. The mountains and clouds are described as "gray as ash," and the speaker notes that "the grayness is something / you can smell and taste." This image of grayness as something tangible and palpable is a powerful one, and it adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
The poem then shifts to a description of the people who live in the town. The speaker notes that "the people here are used to the grayness," and that they "wear it like a second skin." This image of the grayness as a second skin is a powerful one, and it suggests that the people who live in the town are deeply affected by their surroundings. The speaker notes that "the women here are strong," and that they "know how to make do / with what they have." This image of strong women is a recurring theme in the poem, and it suggests that the women in the town are the ones who hold things together.
The poem then shifts to a description of a specific event that takes place in the town. The speaker describes a "big gray cat" that is hit by a car, and how the people in the town gather around to watch as it dies. This image of the dying cat is a powerful one, and it adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The speaker notes that "the cat is something / we can all understand," and that its death is a reminder of the fragility of life.
The poem then shifts to a description of the speaker's own emotions. The speaker notes that "I am one of those / who see the grayness / and feel it like a weight." This image of the grayness as a weight is a powerful one, and it suggests that the speaker is deeply affected by the town and its surroundings. The speaker notes that "I want to escape / but I don't know where to go," and that "the grayness follows me / wherever I go." This image of the grayness as something that follows the speaker is a powerful one, and it suggests that the emotional impact of the town is something that cannot be escaped.
The poem then ends with a description of the town at night. The speaker notes that "at night, the town is even grayer," and that "the stars are dimmed by the grayness." This image of the town at night is a powerful one, and it suggests that the emotional impact of the town is something that cannot be escaped, even in the darkness.
In conclusion, Richard Hugo's "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion. The poem captures the essence of a small town in Montana, and the emotions that come with living in such a place. The poem is filled with powerful images of decay and neglect, and it uses the symbol of grayness to represent the emotional state of the people who live in the town. The poem is a reminder of the fragility of life, and it suggests that the emotional impact of a place is something that cannot be escaped. Overall, "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" is a classic of American literature, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.
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