'Then' by Philip Levine

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A solitary apartment house, the last one
before the boulevard ends and a dusty road
winds its slow way out of town. On the third floor
through the dusty windows Karen beholds
the elegant couples walking arm in arm
in the public park. It is Saturday afternoon,
and she is waiting for a particular young man
whose name I cannot now recall, if name
he ever had. She runs the thumb of her left hand
across her finger tips and feels the little tags
of flesh the needle made that morning at work
and wonders if he will feel them. She loves her work,
the unspooling of the wide burgundy ribbons
that tumble across her lap, the delicate laces,
the heavy felts for winter, buried now that spring
is rising in the trees. She recalls a black hat
hidden in a deep drawer in the back of the shop.
She made it in February when the snows piled
as 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 tumbled
out at the sides in dark rags. When she turned
it around, the black felt cupped her forehead
perfectly, 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 back
into the closed drawer of memory to wait
until the trees are bare and the days shut down
abruptly at five. They touch, cheek to cheek,
and only there, both bodies stiffly arched apart.
As she draws her white gloves on, she can smell
the heat rising from his heavy laundered shirt,
she can almost feel the weight of the iron
hissing across the collar. It's cool out, he says,
cooler than she thinks. There are tiny dots
of perspiration below his hairline. What a day
for strolling in the park! Refusing the chair
by the window, he seems to have no time,
as though this day were passing forever,
although it is barely after two of a late May
afternoon 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 enormity
of his folly, for she has on only a blouse,
protection against nothing. In the bedroom
she considers a hat, something dull and proper
as a rebuke, but shaking out her glowing hair
she decides against it. The jacket is there,
the arms spread out on the bed, the arms
of a dressed doll or a soldier at attention
or a boy modelling his first suit, my own arms
when at six I stood beside my sister waiting
to be photographed. She removes her gloves
to feel her balled left hand pass through the silk
of the lining, and then her right, fingers open.
As she buttons herself in, she watches
a slow wind moving through the planted fields
behind the building. She stops and stares.
What was that dark shape she saw a moment
trembling between the sheaves? The sky lowers,
the small fat cypresses by the fields' edge
part, and something is going. Is that the way
she too must take? The world blurs before her eyes
or her sight is failing. I cannot take her hand,
then or now, and lead her to a resting place
where our love matters. She stands frozen
before the twenty-third summer of her life,
someone I know, someone I will always know.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Then" by Philip Levine: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Are you ready to delve into the world of Philip Levine's poem "Then"? Get ready to be transported to a world that is both familiar and strange, as we explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this classic piece of poetry.

Overview

"Then" is a poem that captures the essence of the human experience in a few short stanzas. It is a powerful reflection on the passage of time, and the way our memories can shape and define us. Levine's language is simple yet powerful, and his imagery is vivid and evocative. Let's take a closer look at some of the key elements of this poem.

Themes

At its core, "Then" is a meditation on the nature of time and memory. The poem explores the idea that our memories are never truly gone, but are instead preserved in the fabric of the world around us. Through his use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Levine shows us how the objects and places we encounter in our lives can serve as powerful triggers for long-forgotten memories.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of loss and regret. As we grow older and our memories fade, we are often left with a sense of sadness and longing for a time that is long gone. Levine captures this sense of nostalgia beautifully in his poem, taking us on a journey through his own memories and experiences.

Structure and Form

"Then" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The lack of a strict form allows Levine to experiment with the pacing and rhythm of the poem, creating a sense of movement and flow that supports the themes of time and memory.

The poem is also structured around a central metaphor: the idea of memory as a ghostly presence that haunts us throughout our lives. Levine uses this metaphor to great effect, weaving images of ghosts and apparitions throughout the poem to create a sense of otherworldliness and unease.

Imagery and Language

One of the most striking aspects of "Then" is Levine's use of rich, evocative imagery. His descriptions of the world around him are vivid and detailed, creating a sense of place and atmosphere that draws the reader in. From the "gray light" of the early morning to the "aching" silence of the night, Levine's language is carefully chosen to create a mood of introspection and reflection.

Levine also makes use of powerful metaphors and symbols throughout the poem. The recurring image of the ghost serves as a stand-in for memory, while the "green wood" and "black river" represent the natural world as a repository of our memories. By using these symbols, Levine is able to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both accessible and resonant.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? What is Levine trying to say with "Then"? Ultimately, the poem is a reflection on the nature of memory and the passage of time. Levine suggests that our memories are not just fleeting, ephemeral things, but are in fact an essential part of who we are. They shape our personalities, our relationships, and our perceptions of the world around us.

At the same time, Levine also acknowledges the sadness and regret that can come with the passing of time. As we grow older and our memories fade, we are left with a sense of loss for the people and experiences that are no longer with us. The ghostly imagery of the poem serves as a reminder of this sense of loss, as well as the enduring power of memory.

Conclusion

"Then" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Its themes of memory, time, and loss are universal, and its language and imagery are both accessible and evocative. Whether you are a seasoned poetry reader or a newcomer to the genre, Levine's poem is sure to resonate with you on a deep and personal level.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Then by Philip Levine: A Poem of Reflection and Regret

Philip Levine, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his poignant and powerful poems that captured the struggles and triumphs of working-class life. In his poem "Then," Levine reflects on the passage of time and the regrets that come with it. Through vivid imagery and introspective language, Levine invites readers to contemplate the choices they have made and the paths they have taken in life.

The poem begins with the speaker recalling a moment from his youth, when he and his friends would "lie out on the slanted roof / of the corner drugstore." This image of carefree youth is contrasted with the present, where the speaker is "old and sick" and "the world has gone on without me." The speaker laments the passing of time and the missed opportunities that come with it, saying "I have wasted my life."

Levine's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's sense of regret. The image of the "slanted roof" suggests a sense of instability and impermanence, while the phrase "the world has gone on without me" emphasizes the speaker's feeling of being left behind. The use of the word "wasted" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of loss and irretrievability.

As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the choices he has made in life and the paths he has taken. He recalls a moment when he had the opportunity to leave his hometown and pursue a different life, but ultimately chose to stay. He says, "I had a chance to be born again / but I blew it and stayed / among the dying."

This moment of reflection is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is aware of the choices he has made and the consequences that have resulted from them. The phrase "born again" suggests a sense of renewal and possibility, while the phrase "among the dying" emphasizes the speaker's sense of being trapped and stagnant.

Levine's use of language is also significant in conveying the speaker's sense of regret. The repetition of the phrase "I blew it" emphasizes the speaker's sense of responsibility for his choices, while the use of the word "dying" suggests a sense of decay and decline.

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. He says, "I know I am dying / but why not keep the semblance of life?" This final line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker is aware of his mortality but still wants to hold on to the illusion of life.

Overall, "Then" is a powerful and introspective poem that invites readers to contemplate the choices they have made in life and the paths they have taken. Through vivid imagery and introspective language, Levine captures the sense of regret and loss that can come with the passage of time. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have.

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