'For The Country' by Philip Levine
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THE DREAM
This has nothing to do with war
or the end of the world. She
dreams there are gray starlings
on the winter lawn and the buds
of next year's oranges alongside
this year's oranges, and the sun
is still up, a watery circle
of fire settling into the sky
at dinner time, but there's no
flame racing through the house
or threatening the bed. When she
wakens the phone is ringing
in a distant room, but she
doesn't go to answer it. No
one is home with her, and the cars
passing before the house hiss
in the rain. "My children!" she
almost says, but there are no
longer children at home, there
are no longer those who would
turn to her, their faces running
with tears, and ask her forgiveness.
THE WAR
The Michigan Central Terminal
the day after victory. Her brother
home from Europe after years
of her mother's terror, and he still
so young but now with the dark
shadow of a beard, holding her
tightly among all the others
calling for their wives or girls.
That night in the front room
crowded with family and neighbors --
he was first back on the block --
he sat cross-legged on the floor
still in his wool uniform, smoking
and drinking as he spoke of passing
high over the dark cities she'd
only read about. He'd wanted to
go back again and again. He'd wanted
to do this for the country,
for this -- a small house with upstairs
bedrooms -- so he'd asked to go
on raid after raid as though
he hungered to kill or be killed.
THE PRESIDENT
Today on television men
will enter space and return,
men she cannot imagine.
Lost in gigantic paper suits,
they move like sea creatures.
A voice will crackle from out
there where no voices are
speaking of the great theater
of conquest, of advancing
beyond the simple miracles
of flight, the small ventures
of birds and beasts. The President
will answer with words she
cannot remember having
spoken ever to anyone.
THE PHONE CALL
She calls Chicago, but no one
is home. The operator asks
for another number but still
no one answers. Together
they try twenty-one numbers,
and at each no one is ever home.
"Can I call Baltimore?" she asks.
She can, but she knows no one
in Baltimore, no one in
St. Louis, Boston, Washington.
She imagines herself standing
before the glass wall high
over Lake Shore Drive, the cars
below fanning into the city.
East she can see all the way
to Gary and the great gray clouds
of exhaustion rolling over
the lake where her vision ends.
This is where her brother lives.
At such height there's nothing,
no birds, no growing, no noise.
She leans her sweating forehead
against the cold glass, shudders,
and puts down the receiver.
THE GARDEN
Wherever she turns her garden
is alive and growing. The thin
spears of wild asparagus, shaft
of tulip and flag, green stain
of berry buds along the vines,
even in the eaten leaf of
pepper plants and clipped stalk
of snap bean. Mid-afternoon
and already the grass is dry
under the low sun. Bluejay
and dark capped juncos hidden
in dense foliage waiting
the sun's early fall, when she
returns alone to hear them
call and call back, and finally
in the long shadows settle
down to rest and to silence
in the sudden rising chill.
THE GAME
Two boys are playing ball
in the backyard, throwing it
back and forth in the afternoon's
bright sunshine as a black mongrel
big as a shepherd races
from one to the other. She
hides behind the heavy drapes
in her dining room and listens,
but they're too far. Who are
they? They move about her yard
as though it were theirs. Are they
the sons of her sons? They've
taken off their shirts, and she
sees they're not boys at all --
a dark smudge of hair rises
along the belly of one --, and now
they have the dog down thrashing
on his back, snarling and flashing
his teeth, and they're laughing.
AFTER DINNER
She's eaten dinner talking
back to the television, she's
had coffee and brandy, done
the dishes and drifted into
and out of sleep over a book
she found beside the couch. It's
time for bed, but she goes
instead to the front door, unlocks
it, and steps onto the porch.
Behind her she can hear only
the silence of the house. The lights
throw her shadow down the stairs
and onto the lawn, and she walks
carefully to meet it. Now she's
standing in the huge, whispering
arena of night, hearing her
own breath tearing out of her
like the cries of an animal.
She could keep going into
whatever the darkness brings,
she could find a presence there
her shaking hands could hold
instead of each other.
SLEEP
A dark sister lies beside her
all night, whispering
that it's not a dream, that fire
has entered the spaces between
one face and another.
There will be no wakening.
When she wakens, she can't
catch her own breath, so she yells
for help. It comes in the form
of sleep. They whisper
back and forth, using new words
that have no meaning
to anyone. The aspen shreds
itself against her window.
The oranges she saw that day
in her yard explode
in circles of oil, the few stars
quiet and darken. They go on,
two little girls up long past
their hour, playing in bed.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"For The Country" by Philip Levine: A Story of Labor and Sacrifice
Introduction
"For The Country" by Philip Levine is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the working class. It is a rallying cry for those who toil day in and day out, sacrificing their bodies and their lives for the betterment of their communities and their country. Levine, a former factory worker himself, knows the struggles of the laborer firsthand, and his poem is a testament to the resilience and courage of those who continue to fight for what they believe in.
Analysis
The poem begins with a powerful image: "The tireless hand that works the loom / is a stranger to the trembling bird." Here, Levine sets up a stark contrast between the world of the worker and the world of nature. The hand that moves the machinery is mechanical, unfeeling, and relentless, while the bird is fragile, delicate, and full of life. This contrast highlights the harshness of industrial labor, where the human body is reduced to a mere tool, a cog in the machine that serves only to produce profit.
Levine then shifts his focus to the worker's experience, describing the "muscles that ache from the strain / of lifting, pulling, pushing, cutting." The repetition of these action words creates a sense of endless, mind-numbing labor, where the worker is trapped in a cycle of repetition and exhaustion. The use of the word "ache" adds a visceral element to the poem, suggesting that the pain of the worker is not just physical but emotional as well.
The following lines describe the worker's dedication to his craft, as he "works the steel, the wood, the cloth / with a fierce love, a proud disdain." This love and pride are not for the objects themselves, but for the labor that went into making them. The worker takes ownership of his work, investing his own identity and sense of self-worth into the products of his labor.
Levine then turns his attention to the sacrifices that the worker makes for his country, describing how "he drains his blood into the soil / that others may reap a richer yield." This line is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the immense sacrifice that the worker makes for the greater good. By giving his blood, sweat, and tears to the land, the worker ensures that future generations will have a better life.
The final lines of the poem are a call to action, urging the reader to "honor him, honor his work / that we may build a land that's strong." This call to action is not just about paying lip service to the worker, but about recognizing his contributions and creating a society that values labor and the dignity of work.
Interpretation
"For The Country" is a poem that speaks directly to the heart of the American experience. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to create this great nation, and a call to honor those who have labored to make it what it is today. The poem is also a warning, however, about the dangers of forgetting the value of labor and the dignity of work.
At its core, "For The Country" is a poem about the human experience. It speaks to the universal struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. It is a reminder that our lives are not just about accumulating wealth or status, but about the connections we make with others and the contributions we make to society.
Levine's poem is also a tribute to the working class, a group that has often been overlooked and marginalized in American society. By centering the poem on the experiences of the laborer, Levine gives voice to a group of people who have been silenced for too long. He celebrates their resilience, their courage, and their dedication to their craft, and reminds us that their work is just as important as that of any other member of society.
Finally, "For The Country" is a poem about hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future. By honoring the sacrifices of those who have come before us, we can create a better world for those who will come after us. It is a call to action, a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a society that values and respects labor, and that honors the dignity of work.
Conclusion
"For The Country" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the working class. It is a testament to the resilience and courage of those who continue to fight for what they believe in, and a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to create this great nation. It is a call to action, urging us all to honor the value of labor and the dignity of work, and to create a society that values the contributions of all its members. In short, it is a poem that speaks to the best of the American spirit, and a reminder that we all have a part to play in creating a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
For The Country: A Poem of Love and Sacrifice
Philip Levine's poem "For The Country" is a powerful and moving tribute to the men and women who have served their country in times of war. Written in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the poem speaks to the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for their country, and the enduring legacy of their service.
At its core, "For The Country" is a poem about love and sacrifice. Levine begins by describing the young men who left their homes and families to fight in a distant land, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism. He writes:
"They left their homes and families and went to fight in a distant land because they loved their country and believed in its ideals."
These lines capture the essence of the poem, and set the stage for the powerful emotions that follow. Levine's use of simple, direct language is effective in conveying the depth of feeling that underlies the poem. He does not need to resort to flowery language or complex metaphors to convey the sense of loss and sacrifice that permeates the poem.
As the poem progresses, Levine shifts his focus to the aftermath of war, and the toll it takes on those who have served. He writes:
"They came back broken and scarred and haunted by the memories of war but they never lost their love for their country or their belief in its ideals."
These lines are particularly poignant, as they capture the sense of loss and trauma that many veterans experience upon returning home. Levine's use of the word "haunted" is particularly effective, as it conveys the sense of lingering pain and trauma that many veterans experience long after the war has ended.
Despite the pain and trauma that many veterans experience, Levine's poem is ultimately a celebration of their service and sacrifice. He writes:
"They gave their lives for their country and in doing so, they gave us all a gift the gift of freedom and democracy and the hope of a better world."
These lines are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served their country in times of war. They also serve as a call to action, urging us to honor the legacy of those who have served by working to create a better world for all.
In addition to its powerful message, "For The Country" is also notable for its use of imagery and symbolism. Levine uses a number of powerful images throughout the poem, including the image of the American flag:
"The flag they fought and died for still flies proudly in the wind a symbol of the sacrifice they made and the ideals they believed in."
This image is particularly effective in conveying the sense of pride and patriotism that many veterans feel towards their country. It also serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who have served, and the importance of honoring their sacrifice.
Overall, "For The Country" is a powerful and moving tribute to the men and women who have served their country in times of war. Through its use of simple, direct language and powerful imagery, the poem conveys the depth of feeling and emotion that underlies the experience of war and its aftermath. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served, and a call to action for all of us to work towards a better world.
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