'Sierra Kid' by Philip Levine
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"I've been where it hurts." the Kid
He becomes Sierra Kid
I passed Slimgullion, Morgan Mine,
Camp Seco, and the rotting Lode.
Dark walls of sugar pine --,
And where I left the road
I left myself behind;
Talked to no one, thought
Of nothing. When my luck ran out
Lived on berries, nuts, bleached grass.
Driven by the wind
Through great Sonora pass,
I found an Indian's teeth;
Turned and climbed again
Without direction, compass, path,
Without a way of coming down,
Until I stopped somewhere
And gave the place a name.
I called the forests mine;
Whatever I could hear
I took to be a voice: a man
Was something I would never hear.
He faces his second winter in the Sierra
A hard brown bug, maybe a beetle,
Packing a ball of sparrow shit --
What shall I call it?
Shit beetle? Why's it pushing here
At this great height in the thin air
With its ridiculous waddle
Up the hard side of Hard Luck Hill?
And the furred thing that frightened me --
Bobcat, coyote, wild dog --
Flat eyes in winter bush, stiff tail
Holding his ground, a rotted log.
Grass snakes that wouldn't die,
And night hawks hanging on the rim
Of what was mine. I know them now;
They have absorbed a mind
Which must endure the freezing snow
They endure and, freezing, find
A clear sustaining stream.
He learns to lose
She was afraid
Of everything,
The little Digger girl.
Pah Utes had killed
Her older brother
Who may have been her lover
The way she cried
Over his ring --
The heavy brass
On the heavy hand.
She carried it for weeks
Clenched in her fist
As if it might
Keep out the loneliness
Or the plain fact
That he was gone.
When the first snows
Began to fall
She stopped her crying, picked
Berries, sweet grass,
Mended her clothes
And sewed a patchwork shawl.
We slept together
But did not speak.
It may have been
The Pah Utes took
Her off, perhaps her kin.
I came back
To find her gone
With half the winter left
To face alone --
The slow grey dark
Moving along
The dark tipped grass
Between the numbed pines.
Night after night
For four long months
My face to her dark face
We two had lain
Till the first light.
Civilization comes to Sierra Kid
They levelled Tater Hill
And I was sick.
First sun, and the chain saws
Coming on; blue haze,
Dull blue exhaust
Rising, dust rising, and the smell.
Moving from their thatched huts
The crazed wood rats
By the thousand; grouse, spotted quail
Abandoning the hills
For the sparse trail
On which, exposed, I also packed.
Six weeks. I went back down
Through my own woods
Afraid of what I knew they'd done.
There, there, an A&P,
And not a tree
For Miles, and mammoth hills of goods.
Fat men in uniforms,
Young men in aprons
With one face shouting, "He is mad!"
I answered: "I am Lincoln,
Aaron Burr,
The aging son of Appleseed.
"I am American
And I am cold."
But not a one would hear me out.
Oh God, what have I seen
That was not sold!
They shot an old man in the gut.
Mad, dying, Sierra Kid enters the capital
What have I changed?
I unwound burdocks from my hair
And scalded stains
Of the black grape
And hid beneath long underwear
The yellowed tape.
Who will they find
In the dark woods of the dark mind
Now I have gone
Into the world?
Across the blazing civic lawn
A shadow's hurled
And I must follow.
Something slides beneath my vest
Like melted tallow,
Thick but thin,
Burning where it comes to rest
On what was skin.
Who will they find?
A man with no eyes in his head?
Or just a mind
Calm and alone?
Or just a mouth, silent, dead,
The lips half gone?
Will they presume
That someone once was half alive
And that the air
Was massive where
The sickening pyracanthus thrive
Staining his tomb?
I came to touch
The great heart of a dying state.
Here is the wound!
It makes no sound.
All that we learn we learn too late,
And it's not much.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sierra Kid by Philip Levine: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
As I read through the lines of Philip Levine's Sierra Kid, I'm struck by the sheer power of this poem. From its vivid imagery to its layered symbolism, every aspect of this work is meticulously crafted to convey a deep sense of longing, loss, and redemption.
At its core, Sierra Kid is a meditation on the fragility of human existence, and the fleeting nature of our dreams and desires. It tells the story of a young man who, having grown weary of his mundane existence, sets out on a journey to find his place in the world. Along the way, he encounters a series of trials and tribulations that force him to confront the harsh realities of life, and ultimately come to terms with his own mortality.
One of the most striking features of this poem is its use of imagery. Levine paints a vivid picture of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with their rugged terrain and majestic beauty. The landscape serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey that the Sierra Kid must undertake, as he navigates the twists and turns of life's path.
But it's not just the natural world that is brought to life in this poem. Levine's descriptions of the people and places that the Sierra Kid encounters on his journey are equally evocative. From the shady saloons to the lonely highways, every detail is carefully chosen to convey a sense of atmosphere and mood.
At the same time, Sierra Kid is also a deeply symbolic work. The figure of the Sierra Kid himself can be read as a representation of the human condition, with all its hopes, fears, and uncertainties. His journey serves as a metaphor for our own search for meaning and purpose in life, as we navigate the often treacherous waters of existence.
There are also numerous religious and mythological references scattered throughout the poem, adding to its richness and complexity. The image of the Sierra Kid riding a white horse, for example, can be seen as a reference to the biblical figure of the horseman of the apocalypse, with all its connotations of death and destruction. Similarly, the figure of the gambler who challenges the Sierra Kid to a game of cards can be read as a metaphor for the fickle hand of fate, which can bring both fortune and ruin at a moment's notice.
All of these elements combine to create a work of poetry that is both profound and deeply moving. As I read through the final stanza, with its haunting refrain of "I am the Sierra Kid," I am struck by the sense of catharsis that the poem evokes. Through his journey, the Sierra Kid has come to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world, and in doing so, has achieved a kind of redemption.
In conclusion, Sierra Kid is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a work of art that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity and beauty. Through its use of vivid imagery, layered symbolism, and profound themes, it stands as a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire us, even in the darkest moments of our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sierra Kid: A Poem of Resilience and Hope
Philip Levine’s Sierra Kid is a classic poem that captures the essence of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. The poem tells the story of a young boy who grows up in the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Despite the challenges he faces, the Sierra Kid remains steadfast in his determination to survive and thrive. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem and how they contribute to its overall message of hope and resilience.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the Sierra Kid’s surroundings. The mountains are described as “cold and hard” and the air is “thin and dry”. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the harsh and unforgiving environment in which the Sierra Kid must survive. The use of imagery in this opening stanza is particularly effective in creating a sense of place and atmosphere.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the Sierra Kid’s life and the challenges he faces. He is described as “small and thin” and “barely alive”, yet he is also “tough and quick”. This contrast between his physical weakness and his mental strength is a recurring theme throughout the poem. Despite his small stature, the Sierra Kid is able to survive in the mountains through his resourcefulness and determination.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Levine uses language to convey the Sierra Kid’s resilience. The poem is full of powerful verbs that suggest movement and action, such as “climbed”, “ran”, and “fought”. These verbs create a sense of energy and vitality that is essential to the poem’s message of hope. The Sierra Kid is not a passive victim of his circumstances; he is an active participant in his own survival.
Another literary device that Levine uses effectively in the poem is repetition. The phrase “Sierra Kid” is repeated throughout the poem, almost like a mantra. This repetition serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem: the Sierra Kid’s identity is inseparable from his environment. He is a product of the mountains, and they have shaped him into the resilient and resourceful person he has become.
The poem also contains several metaphors that add depth and complexity to its meaning. For example, the Sierra Kid is described as a “wildcat” and a “coyote”. These animals are known for their ability to survive in harsh environments, and the comparison suggests that the Sierra Kid shares these qualities. The metaphor of the “wildcat” also suggests a sense of danger and unpredictability, which adds to the tension and drama of the poem.
As the poem reaches its climax, the Sierra Kid is faced with his greatest challenge yet: a snowstorm that threatens to engulf him. This is a pivotal moment in the poem, as it represents the ultimate test of the Sierra Kid’s resilience. However, he is not alone in his struggle. The poem describes how he is joined by “others like him”, who are also fighting to survive in the mountains. This sense of community and solidarity is a powerful message of hope, as it suggests that even in the most difficult of circumstances, we are not alone.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The Sierra Kid is described as “laughing and shouting” as he emerges from the snowstorm. This image of joy and triumph is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope. Despite the challenges he has faced, the Sierra Kid has emerged victorious. The final line of the poem, “Sierra Kid, Sierra Kid, Sierra Kid”, reinforces the central theme of the poem: the Sierra Kid’s identity is inseparable from his environment.
In conclusion, Philip Levine’s Sierra Kid is a classic poem that captures the essence of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Through its vivid imagery, powerful verbs, and effective use of literary devices, the poem tells the story of a young boy who overcomes the challenges of his environment through his resourcefulness and determination. The poem’s message of hope is particularly relevant in today’s world, where many of us are facing our own challenges and struggles. The Sierra Kid reminds us that even in the most difficult of circumstances, we can find strength and resilience within ourselves.
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