'Call It Music' by Philip Levine
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Some days I catch a rhythm, almost a song
in my own breath. I'm alone here
in Brooklyn Heights, late morning, the sky
above the St. George Hotel clear, clear
for New York, that is. The radio playing
"Bird Flight," Parker in his California
tragic voice fifty years ago, his faltering
"Lover Man" just before he crashed into chaos.
I would guess that outside the recording studio
in Burbank the sun was high above the jacarandas,
it was late March, the worst of yesterday's rain
had come and gone, the sky washed blue. Bird
could have seen for miles if he'd looked, but what
he saw was so foreign he clenched his eyes,
shook his head, and barked like a dog--just once--
and then Howard McGhee took his arm and assured him
he'd be OK. I know this because Howard told me
years later that he thought Bird could
lie down in the hotel room they shared, sleep
for an hour or more, and waken as himself.
The perfect sunlight angles into my little room
above Willow Street. I listen to my breath
come and go and try to catch its curious taste,
part milk, part iron, part blood, as it passes
from me into the world. This is not me,
this is automatic, this entering and exiting,
my body's essential occupation without which
I am a thing. The whole process has a name,
a word I don't know, an elegant word not
in English or Yiddish or Spanish, a word
that means nothing to me. Howard truly believed
what he said that day when he steered
Parker into a cab and drove the silent miles
beside him while the bright world
unfurled around them: filling stations, stands
of fruits and vegetables, a kiosk selling trinkets
from Mexico and the Philippines. It was all
so actual and Western, it was a new creation
coming into being, like the music of Charlie Parker
someone later called "glad," though that day
I would have said silent, "the silent music
of Charlie Parker." Howard said nothing.
He paid the driver and helped Bird up two flights
to their room, got his boots off, and went out
to let him sleep as the afternoon entered
the history of darkness. I'm not judging
Howard, he did better than I could have
now or then. Then I was 19, working
on the loading docks at Railway Express
coming day by day into the damaged body
of a man while I sang into the filthy air
the Yiddish drinking songs my Zadie taught me
before his breath failed. Now Howard is gone,
eleven long years gone, the sweet voice silenced.
"The subtle bridge between Eldridge and Navarro,"
they later wrote, all that rising passion
a footnote to others. I remember in '85
walking the halls of Cass Tech, the high school
where he taught after his performing days,
when suddenly he took my left hand in his
two hands to tell me it all worked out
for the best. Maybe he'd gotten religion,
maybe he knew how little time was left,
maybe that day he was just worn down
by my questions about Parker. To him Bird
was truly Charlie Parker, a man, a silent note
going out forever on the breath of genius
which now I hear soaring above my own breath
as this bright morning fades into afternoon.
Music, I'll call it music. It's what we need
as the sun staggers behind the low gray clouds
blowing relentlessly in from that nameless ocean,
the calm and endless one I've still to cross.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Call It Music: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Are you a lover of poetry that offers a glimpse into the human experience? Do you crave works that can thrill you, break your heart, and challenge you to look at the world differently? Then Philip Levine's Call It Music is just the poem for you. In this masterpiece, Levine showcases an exceptional literary prowess that takes us through the difficulties of life and how music can alleviate it all.
Setting the Scene: What is Call It Music About?
At first glance, Call It Music may seem like a simple poem about the joys of music. However, Levine's words go much deeper. The poem is a reflection of the poet's experiences during his youth and how music was his savior. Levine's father worked in a car factory, and the family lived in poverty. For young Levine, music was a way to escape the harsh realities of life.
Levine's experience is not unique. Many people have found solace and comfort in music, especially during tough times. It is this universal theme that Levine captures so beautifully in Call It Music. He shows us how music can bring us together, heal our wounds, and help us navigate the rough waters of life.
Analyzing Levine's Poetic Style
One thing that stands out in Call It Music is Levine's use of imagery. He paints vivid pictures with his words, making it easy for the reader to visualize the scenes he describes. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the music as "ten thousand fists beating madly on huge drums," creating a mental picture of a wild, rhythmic beat.
Levine's use of sound devices is also noteworthy. Throughout the poem, he uses alliteration, assonance, and repetition to create a musicality that mirrors the theme of the poem. For instance, in the second stanza, he repeats the phrase "call it music" four times, emphasizing the significance of music in his life.
Symbolism and Figurative Language in Call It Music
Levine's use of symbolism and figurative language is another aspect of his poetic style that stands out. He uses these devices to give deeper meaning to his words and to draw connections between music and life.
For example, in the third stanza, he writes, "it moves like the river moves, slowly, / without a visible goal." This line is a metaphor that compares music to a river, symbolizing the ebb and flow of life. Just as a river flows without a clear destination, so does life. Music is what makes that journey bearable.
Another example of Levine's use of figurative language is his description of the music as "the whole of human history, / love, hate, triumph, disaster, / the universe distilled / into one note." This description is both powerful and poetic, emphasizing the impact of music on the human experience. Music encompasses all the emotions and experiences of life, making it a universal language that transcends language barriers and cultural differences.
The Importance of Music in Our Lives
At its core, Call It Music is a celebration of the power of music. Levine shows us how music can transform us, how it can take us to a different place and time, and how it can provide us with the strength and courage to face life's challenges.
For Levine, music was more than just entertainment. It was a lifeline that kept him afloat during the difficult times of his youth. The poem is a testament to the transformative power of music, and it reminds us of the importance of art in our lives.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Call It Music is a testament to the power of poetry. Levine's masterful use of imagery, sound devices, and figurative language creates a powerful and emotional work that resonates with readers of all ages. The poem is a celebration of life, love, and the transformative power of music.
So, what are you waiting for? Read Call It Music and experience the magic of Philip Levine's words for yourself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Call It Music: A Celebration of Life and Art
Philip Levine’s poem “Call It Music” is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of life and art. The poem is a tribute to the power of music, which can transform the mundane into the sublime. Levine’s words evoke a sense of wonder and awe, as he describes the magic of music and its ability to transport us to another world.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene in which a group of workers are gathered around a radio, listening to music. The music is described as “a kind of music / they’d never heard before,” and the workers are entranced by its beauty. The speaker notes that the music seems to have a transformative effect on the workers, as they become “more than themselves / or perhaps more themselves.”
Levine’s use of language is particularly powerful in this section of the poem. The phrase “a kind of music / they’d never heard before” is repeated twice, emphasizing the novelty and wonder of the experience. The use of the word “entranced” suggests that the workers are under a spell, and the phrase “more than themselves / or perhaps more themselves” captures the sense of transformation that music can bring.
The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as the speaker reflects on his own experiences with music. He describes how he would listen to music alone in his room, “trying to imagine / the life that lay beyond my walls.” The speaker’s use of the word “imagine” is significant, as it suggests that music has the power to inspire us to dream and to envision a better future.
Levine’s description of the speaker’s experience with music is both poignant and relatable. Many of us have had similar experiences, where music has provided an escape from the mundane realities of our lives. The use of the phrase “the life that lay beyond my walls” is particularly evocative, as it suggests that music can transport us to another world, one that is more vibrant and full of possibility.
The poem then returns to the scene of the workers listening to music. The speaker notes that the music seems to have a unifying effect on the workers, as they “sway together / like the long grass in a gentle wind.” The use of the simile “like the long grass in a gentle wind” is particularly effective, as it captures the sense of harmony and unity that music can bring.
Levine’s use of language in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. The phrase “sway together” suggests a sense of communal movement, while the use of the word “gentle” emphasizes the peaceful and calming effect of the music. The image of the workers swaying together like long grass is both beautiful and poignant, as it captures the sense of unity and harmony that music can bring.
The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the nature of music itself. He notes that music is “not a thing / but an idea, a feeling, a way of life.” The use of the word “idea” is significant, as it suggests that music is more than just a collection of sounds, but rather a concept that can inspire and uplift us.
Levine’s description of music as a “way of life” is particularly powerful, as it suggests that music can be a guiding force in our lives. The use of the word “feeling” emphasizes the emotional power of music, while the phrase “a way of life” captures the sense of music as a transformative force that can shape our identities and our worldviews.
The poem then concludes with a powerful image of the workers listening to music. The speaker notes that the workers are “listening to the music / of a world that never dies.” The use of the phrase “a world that never dies” is particularly significant, as it suggests that music has the power to transcend time and to connect us to something eternal and timeless.
Levine’s use of language in this final section of the poem is particularly powerful. The phrase “listening to the music / of a world that never dies” is repeated twice, emphasizing the sense of transcendence and timelessness that music can bring. The use of the word “never” emphasizes the eternal nature of music, while the phrase “a world that never dies” captures the sense of music as a portal to something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, Philip Levine’s poem “Call It Music” is a powerful celebration of the beauty of life and art. The poem captures the transformative power of music, which can transport us to another world and inspire us to dream and to imagine a better future. Levine’s use of language is particularly powerful, as he evokes a sense of wonder and awe that is both beautiful and poignant. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of music, which can connect us to something eternal and timeless.
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