'Coming Close' by Philip Levine
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Take this quiet woman, she has been
standing before a polishing wheel
for over three hours, and she lacks
twenty minutes before she can take
a lunch break. Is she a woman?
Consider the arms as they press
the long brass tube against the buffer,
they are striated along the triceps,
the three heads of which clearly show.
Consider the fine dusting of dark down
above the upper lip, and the beads
of sweat that run from under the red
kerchief across the brow and are wiped
away with a blackening wrist band
in one odd motion a child might make
to say No! No! You must come closer
to find out, you must hang your tie
and jacket in one of the lockers
in favor of a black smock, you must
be prepared to spend shift after shift
hauling off the metal trays of stock,
bowing first, knees bent for a purchase,
then lifting with a gasp, the first word
of tenderness between the two of you,
then you must bring new trays of dull
unpolished tubes. You must feed her,
as they say in the language of the place.
Make no mistake, the place has a language,
and if by some luck the power were cut,
the wheel slowed to a stop so that you
suddenly saw it was not a solid object
but so many separate bristles forming
in motion a perfect circle, she would turn
to you and say, "Why?" Not the old why
of why must I spend five nights a week?
Just, "Why?" Even if by some magic
you knew, you wouldn't dare speak
for fear of her laughter, which now
you have anyway as she places the five
tapering fingers of her filthy hand
on the arm of your white shirt to mark
you for your own, now and forever.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Coming Close by Philip Levine: A Deeper Look
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling as though the words had been written just for you? The kind of poem that speaks to your soul and resonates deep within your being? For me, that poem is Coming Close by Philip Levine. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and language of this classic poem and explore why it continues to touch the hearts of readers worldwide.
Background
Philip Levine was an American poet born in Detroit, Michigan in 1928. He was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants and spent much of his youth working in Detroit's auto factories. Levine's work often reflected the struggles of working-class Americans, and Coming Close is no exception. It was published in 1978 as part of the collection, "The Death of a Young Son by Drowning."
Themes
One of the central themes of Coming Close is the fragility of human life. Levine begins the poem by describing the speaker's encounter with a spider, which he observes "climbing a long thread / of his own dark blood." This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Levine explores the delicate balance between life and death.
Another theme present in the poem is the idea of connection. Levine writes, "we are of a time, / and a place, and a people / who leave and are left behind." This line emphasizes the interconnectedness of human beings, and how we are all a part of a greater whole. The speaker also describes the spider as a "tiny / peddler of the world's / natural resources," which highlights the spider's important role in the ecosystem. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the importance of each individual in society.
Finally, Coming Close is a poem about the passage of time. Levine writes, "I have come to believe / that the whole world is an enigma, / a harmless enigma / that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth." This line speaks to the idea that life is inherently mysterious, and that we should embrace this mystery instead of trying to solve it.
Symbols
There are several symbols present in Coming Close that add layers of meaning to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is the spider. As mentioned earlier, the spider represents the fragility of life. The spider's delicate thread is a metaphor for the thin line between life and death, and the spider's ability to climb up this thread represents the resilience of life in the face of adversity.
Another symbol in the poem is the "black raisin" that the speaker finds on the floor. This object represents the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker describes it as "hard and wrinkled," which highlights the physical decay that occurs as we age.
Finally, the "blackened apple core" that the speaker finds in the trash represents decay and decayed relationships. The apple core is no longer useful or desirable, and has been discarded. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the way we sometimes treat people in our lives, casting them aside when they are no longer useful to us.
Language
One of the most striking things about Coming Close is the language Levine uses. His words are simple and direct, yet they convey a depth of emotion that is both powerful and moving. For example, when describing the spider, Levine writes, "the spider / is always hungry." This short sentence conveys a sense of desperation and urgency, as if the spider's very survival depends on its ability to find food.
Another powerful use of language in the poem is the repetition of the phrase, "I saw." Levine uses this phrase several times throughout the poem to describe the objects and events he encounters. This repetition creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if the speaker is sharing a personal experience with the reader.
Finally, the language in Coming Close is rich with imagery and metaphor. For example, when describing the spider's thread, Levine writes, "a long thread / of his own dark blood." This metaphorical language creates a sense of interconnectedness between the spider and the rest of the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Coming Close by Philip Levine is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of life, death, connection, and the passage of time. Through the use of symbols, imagery, and metaphorical language, Levine creates a work that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and personal. This poem reminds us of the fragility of life, the importance of connection, and the mystery of the world around us. It is a work that continues to resonate with readers today, and will likely continue to do so for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Coming Close: A Poem of Intimacy and Connection
Philip Levine’s “Coming Close” is a poem that captures the essence of intimacy and connection between two people. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the moments shared between two individuals, and the emotions that arise from those moments. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of the poem, the use of imagery and language, and the overall impact of the poem on the reader.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment of intimacy between two people. The speaker describes the moment as “the almost-empty sheets / embracing the almost-empty bed”. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it creates a sense of emptiness and longing. The use of the word “almost” suggests that something is missing, that there is a sense of incompleteness. This feeling is further emphasized in the next line, where the speaker describes the “blue flame” of the cigarette. The blue flame is a symbol of passion and desire, but it is also a symbol of transience. The flame will eventually burn out, just as the moment of intimacy will eventually come to an end.
The poem then moves on to describe the physical sensations of the moment. The speaker describes the “sweat / that gathered like pearls / on his back”. This line creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind, and it also suggests a sense of vulnerability. The sweat is a physical manifestation of the emotions that the two people are feeling, and it is a reminder that they are both human, with all the imperfections and vulnerabilities that come with being human.
The next few lines of the poem describe the emotional connection between the two people. The speaker describes the “trembling / thighs” of the other person, and the “fingers / that tested and sought”. These lines suggest a sense of exploration and discovery, as the two people explore each other’s bodies and emotions. The use of the word “tested” suggests a sense of caution, as the two people are still getting to know each other. However, the word “sought” suggests a sense of longing and desire, as the two people search for a deeper connection.
The poem then moves on to describe the aftermath of the moment. The speaker describes the “silence / that answered the silence”. This line suggests a sense of contentment and satisfaction, as the two people are comfortable in each other’s presence. The use of the word “answered” suggests that the silence is a response to the moment of intimacy, and that it is a natural and expected part of the experience.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker’s feelings about the moment. The speaker says that he “felt / my heart drift / and settle like a raft / among the leaves”. This line suggests a sense of peace and tranquility, as the speaker is able to let go of his emotions and simply be in the moment. The use of the word “raft” suggests a sense of freedom and independence, as the speaker is able to navigate his emotions on his own terms. The leaves are a symbol of nature and the natural world, and they suggest a sense of harmony and balance.
Overall, “Coming Close” is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of intimacy and connection between two people. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and language, and it creates a sense of longing and vulnerability that is both powerful and moving. The poem is a reminder that we are all human, with all the imperfections and vulnerabilities that come with being human, and that it is through our connections with others that we are able to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
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