'The Whole Soul' by Philip Levine

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Is it long as a noodle
or fat as an egg? Is it
lumpy like a potato or
ringed like an oak or an
onion and like the onion
the same as you go toward
the core? That would be
suitable, for is it not
the human core and the rest
meant either to keep it
warm or cold depending
on the season or just who
you're talking to, the rest
a means of getting it from
one place to another, for it
must go on two legs down
the stairs and out the front
door, it must greet the sun
with a sigh of pleasure as
it stands on the front porch
considering the day's agenda.
Whether to go straight ahead
passing through the ranch houses
of the rich, living rooms
panelled with a veneer of fake
Philippine mahogany and bedrooms
with ermined floors and tangled
seas of silk sheets, through
adobe walls and secret gardens
of sweet corn and marijuana
until it crosses several sets
of tracks, four freeways, and
a mountain range and faces
a great ocean each drop of
which is known and like
no other, each with its own
particular tang, one suitable
to bring forth the flavor
of a noodle, still another
when dried on an open palm,
sparkling and tiny, just right
for a bite of ripe tomato
or to incite a heavy tongue
that dragged across a brow
could utter the awful words,
"Oh, my love!" and mean them.
The more one considers
the more puzzling become
these shapes. I stare out
at the Pacific and wonder --
noodle, onion, lump, double
yolked egg on two legs,
a star as perfect as salt --
and my own shape a compound
of so many lengths, lumps,
and flat palms. And while I'm
here at the shore I bow to
take a few handfuls of water
which run between my fingers,
those poor noodles good for
holding nothing for long, and
I speak in a tongue hungering
for salt and water without salt,
I give a shape to the air going
out and the air coming in,
and the sea winds scatter it
like so many burning crystals
settling on the evening ocean.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Whole Soul: A Deep Dive into the Depths of the Human Psyche

Philip Levine's The Whole Soul is an intricate and complex poem that delves deep into the human psyche. With its vivid imagery and lyrical language, Levine takes us on a journey through the dark recesses of the mind, exploring the complexities of the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, the use of language and imagery, and the overall structure and meaning of The Whole Soul.

Thematic Exploration: Love, Loss, and the Search for Meaning

At its core, The Whole Soul is a poem about love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and meaningless. The speaker of the poem is grappling with the loss of a loved one, and the resulting feelings of grief, anger, and despair. Throughout the poem, the speaker is in search of a sense of closure, a way to make sense of the pain and confusion that they are feeling.

One of the most powerful themes in The Whole Soul is the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. The speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which their grief and pain ripple out into the world around them, affecting everything and everyone they come into contact with. As they navigate their own emotional landscape, they are also grappling with the larger questions of life and death, of love and loss, and of the purpose that lies beneath it all.

Another key theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. Throughout the poem, the speaker is in a state of flux, constantly changing and evolving as they come to terms with their grief. There is a sense of movement and progression in the poem, as the speaker moves from a place of darkness and despair to one of acceptance and understanding.

The Use of Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about The Whole Soul is the use of language and imagery. Levine's language is lyrical and poetic, evoking a sense of beauty and wonder even in the darkest moments of the poem. There is a musical quality to his writing, with the repetition of certain phrases and the use of alliteration and assonance creating a sense of rhythm and flow.

The imagery in the poem is also incredibly powerful, with vivid descriptions of the natural world serving as a metaphor for the emotions and experiences of the speaker. The use of water, for example, is particularly noteworthy. In the third stanza, the speaker describes the ocean as a "dark and infinite mirror," reflecting the pain and confusion that they are feeling. Later in the poem, the speaker describes the waves as "a language we can never speak," emphasizing the sense of isolation and loneliness that comes with grief.

Structural Analysis: The Journey of the Soul

The structure of The Whole Soul is also worth examining. The poem is divided into five stanzas of varying lengths, with each stanza representing a different stage in the speaker's emotional journey. The first stanza sets the stage, establishing the sense of loss and despair that the speaker is feeling. The second stanza focuses on the natural world, using imagery to convey the sense of chaos and confusion that the speaker is experiencing.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker confronts the ocean and the overwhelming sense of loss that it represents. Here, the speaker is at their lowest point, struggling to find meaning in a world that seems cruel and unfair. The fourth stanza represents a turning point, as the speaker begins to find a sense of acceptance and understanding. Finally, the fifth stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker returning to the natural world and finding a sense of peace and solace in its beauty.

Personal Reflection: Finding Meaning in the Depths of Grief

As I read and analyzed The Whole Soul, I found myself deeply moved by Levine's words. The poem spoke to me on a personal level, as I have experienced my own share of loss and grief. What struck me most about the poem was the sense of universality that it conveyed. Though the speaker's experiences are specific to their own life, the emotions and experiences that they describe are ones that we can all relate to on some level.

Ultimately, I believe that The Whole Soul is a poem about finding meaning in the depths of grief. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the world around us. It is a call to embrace the interconnectedness of all things, and to find solace in the knowledge that we are not alone in our pain.

In conclusion, The Whole Soul is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the deepest parts of the human experience. It is a testament to the power of language and imagery, and a reminder of the universality of our emotions and experiences. Through its exploration of themes like love, loss, and the search for meaning, Levine's poem offers us a glimpse into the depths of the human psyche, and a way to navigate the complexities of our own emotional landscapes.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Whole Soul: A Poem of Life and Death

Philip Levine's "The Whole Soul" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human experience. The poem is a reflection on the nature of existence and the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often cruel and unforgiving. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Levine captures the essence of what it means to be alive and the inevitability of death.

The poem begins with a description of a man who is dying. The man is described as being "old and sick" and "lying in his bed." Despite his condition, the man is still able to find joy in the world around him. He listens to the sounds of the world outside his window and takes comfort in the fact that he is still alive. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of death. Levine writes, "Death is not a thing, / but a place we go to." This line is a powerful reminder that death is not an event, but a process. It is something that we all must face eventually, but it is also something that we can prepare for and come to terms with. The stanza ends with the line, "We are all dying, / but we are also alive." This line is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still life to be lived.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the human experience. Levine writes, "We are all born / with a whole soul, / but we lose it / as we grow older." This line is a powerful reminder that the human experience is one of loss and change. As we grow older, we lose the innocence and wonder of childhood, and we become more jaded and cynical. However, the poem also suggests that it is possible to reclaim our whole soul, even in the face of death.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of the world. Levine writes, "The world is a beautiful place, / even when it is ugly." This line is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of life, there is still beauty to be found. The stanza ends with the line, "We must hold on to the beauty, / even when it is hard." This line is a reminder that it is important to hold on to the things that bring us joy and comfort, even in the face of adversity.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death. Levine writes, "We will all die, / but we can choose how we live." This line is a powerful reminder that death is inevitable, but we still have control over how we live our lives. We can choose to live with purpose and meaning, or we can choose to simply exist. The stanza ends with the line, "We must choose to live fully, / even in the face of death." This line is a reminder that it is important to live our lives to the fullest, even in the face of death.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the legacy that we leave behind. Levine writes, "We will all be forgotten, / but we can leave a mark." This line is a reminder that even though we will eventually be forgotten, we can still leave a lasting impact on the world. The stanza ends with the line, "We must strive to leave a mark, / even if it is small." This line is a reminder that it is important to strive to make a difference in the world, no matter how small that difference may be.

In conclusion, "The Whole Soul" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Levine captures the essence of what it means to be alive and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still life to be lived, and that it is important to live our lives to the fullest. It is a call to action to leave a lasting impact on the world, no matter how small that impact may be. "The Whole Soul" is a poem that will resonate with readers for years to come, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

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