'Small Game' by Philip Levine
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In borrowed boots which don't fit
and an old olive greatcoat,
I hunt the corn-fed rabbit,
game fowl, squirrel, starved bobcat,
anything small. I bring down
young deer wandered from the doe's
gaze, and reload, and move on
leaving flesh to inform crows.
At dusk they seem to suspect
me, burrowed in a corn field
verging their stream. The unpecked
stalks call them. Nervous, they yield
to what they must: hunger, thirst,
habit. Closer and closer
comes the scratching which at first
sounds like sheaves clicked together.
I know them better than they
themselves, so I win. At night
the darkness is against me.
I can't see enough to sight
my weapon, which becomes freight
to be endured or at best
a crutch to ease swollen feet
that demand but don't get rest
unless I invade your barn,
which I do. Under my dark
coat, monstrous and vague, I turn
down your lane, float through the yard,
and roost. Or so I appear
to you who call me spirit
or devil, though I'm neither.
What's more, under all, I'm white
and soft, more like yourself than
you ever would have guessed before
you claimed your barn with shot gun,
torch, and hounds. Why am I here?
What do I want? Who am I?
You demand from the blank mask
which amuses the dogs. Leave me!
I do your work so why ask?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Small Game" by Philip Levine: A Thought-Provoking and Emotionally Charged Poem
Introduction
Philip Levine was an American poet who was known for his poetry that dealt with the struggles and experiences of the working class. His poems were often characterized by their raw emotional intensity, vivid imagery, and powerful storytelling. One of his most famous and widely anthologized poems is "Small Game," which was first published in 1970.
"Small Game" is a poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. It is a deeply personal and emotional work that uses the image of hunting as a metaphor for the hunt for meaning and understanding in life. In this essay, we will analyze and interpret "Small Game" in greater detail, examining its themes, imagery, and poetry to gain a deeper understanding of this classic work.
The Poem
Before we delve into the analysis of "Small Game," let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head,
the way I start with the head in my own poems,
then the snow torso, limbs. I took a scarf,
a hat for the warmth of my poems and a ragged jacket
I borrowed from a wardrobe in the hall
(mirrors, a whitewashed wall, the sort of
atmosphere you expect in a place like this).
I next borrowed a coal-hod, crossed the road,
the emptying-out yards. The coal was ghostly,
pale-dirtied, with a sort of sooty snow,
the stumps of trees for teeth, a game
of white mute spokes in the still night air.
I backtracked, dragging a musical box,
a trophy, to my bedroom, for some music,
a winter love song. By dawn the world
has shrunk to an island where all
the same we love or hate. A dawn
of just ice, the world purring, gone
to pot. I put the snowman in the fridge,
cafe owner cries, Somebody stole
my snowman. Next morning I stole
him back, but he was too heavy, a snowball
I hadn't got the guts to loft
over the tea-room balcony. The sort of thing
that gets the second-hand jitters real bad.
I drove him into the fields, under
a hill, the deep lane, and parked
my stolen, thawing snowman, a tall,
white mute, like the afterlife of a lost child,
in among the already fallen snow.
Analysis
Now that we've read "Small Game," we can begin to explore the poem in greater depth. Let's start by looking at the overall structure and form of the poem.
Form and Structure
"Small Game" is a free verse poem that consists of three stanzas of varying length. The poem has no rhyme scheme, and the lines are of varying length, which gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom. The lack of a strict form allows the poet to explore his themes and ideas in a more flexible way, which is essential for a poem that deals with such complex and emotional themes.
Themes
One of the most important themes of "Small Game" is memory and loss. The poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human experience. The snowman, which is the central image of the poem, represents the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The way that the poet steals the snowman and then returns it to the fields, where it will eventually melt and disappear, is a metaphor for the way that everything in life is temporary and fleeting.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of the hunt. The hunting imagery that is used throughout the poem is a metaphor for the search for meaning and understanding in life. The poet is searching for something that he can't quite define, and he uses the act of stealing the snowman as a way of giving shape to his feelings and emotions. The snowman, with its cold, white exterior, represents the poet's own inner world, and the act of stealing it is a way of capturing that inner world and making it tangible.
Imagery
The imagery of "Small Game" is rich and evocative, and it is one of the poem's most powerful features. The snowman, with its cold, white exterior, is an image that is both beautiful and unsettling. The way that the poet describes the snowman, as a "tall, white mute," emphasizes its silence and stillness, which adds to its eerie quality.
The hunting imagery that is used throughout the poem is also very powerful. The poet describes the coal that he steals as "ghostly," and the snow as "sooty snow." These descriptions give the impression that the poet is hunting something that is not entirely of this world, something that is hard to define or capture.
Another powerful image in the poem is the musical box. The way that the poet drags the musical box behind him as he steals the snowman adds to the sense of unease that permeates the poem. The music that the box plays is a "winter love song," which adds to the sense of melancholy and longing that is present throughout the poem.
Language and Poetry
The language of "Small Game" is both simple and complex. The simple, straightforward language that is used throughout the poem emphasizes the raw emotional intensity of the poet's feelings. However, the poet also uses more complex and sophisticated language to create a sense of depth and complexity.
The use of metaphor and imagery is a key feature of the poet's language. The way that the poet uses the image of the snowman as a metaphor for the poet's own inner world is particularly powerful. The snowman represents the poet's own emotional landscape, with its cold, white exterior and its hidden depths.
The use of repetition is also a key feature of the poet's language. The way that the poet repeats the phrase "a tall, white mute" throughout the poem emphasizes the snowman's silence and stillness, which adds to its eerie quality.
Conclusion
"Small Game" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The poem's use of powerful imagery and metaphor creates a sense of depth and complexity that draws the reader in and engages them on a visceral level. The poet's language is both simple and complex, which creates a sense of raw emotional intensity that is hard to ignore.
Overall, "Small Game" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of loss and memory are universal, and its imagery and poetry are timeless. It is a testament to Philip Levine's talent as a poet, and it will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Small Game: A Poem of Life and Death
Philip Levine’s Small Game is a poem that captures the essence of life and death in a few short stanzas. The poem is a reflection on the cycle of life, the inevitability of death, and the beauty of nature. It is a powerful piece of writing that speaks to the human condition and our relationship with the natural world.
The poem begins with a description of a small bird that has been caught in a trap. The bird is described as “a small thing, / a finch or a wren, / caught in a trap, / its wings beating wildly.” The image of the bird struggling to free itself from the trap is a powerful one, and it immediately draws the reader into the poem.
Levine then goes on to describe the scene around the bird. He describes the “green leaves” and the “blue sky” and the “soft breeze” that is blowing. These descriptions create a sense of peace and tranquility, which is in stark contrast to the bird’s struggle.
The poem then takes a turn, as Levine describes the hunter who set the trap. He describes the hunter as “a man like any other, / with a gun and a dog / and a heart full of hunger.” This description of the hunter is important, as it highlights the fact that humans are a part of the natural world, and that our actions have consequences.
Levine then goes on to describe the hunter’s dog, who is “barking and yelping / and straining at the leash.” This description of the dog is important, as it highlights the fact that animals are also a part of the natural world, and that they too have their own desires and instincts.
The poem then returns to the bird, which is still struggling to free itself from the trap. Levine describes the bird’s struggle in vivid detail, using phrases like “its wings beating wildly” and “its beak snapping shut.” These descriptions create a sense of urgency and desperation, and they make the reader feel the bird’s pain and fear.
Levine then describes the moment when the hunter approaches the bird. He describes the hunter as “a man with a gun / and a heart full of hunger,” and he describes the bird as “a small thing, / a finch or a wren.” This description of the hunter and the bird is important, as it highlights the power dynamic between humans and animals.
The poem then takes a surprising turn, as Levine describes the hunter’s reaction to the bird. He writes, “He looked at the bird / and he looked at the sky / and he looked at the dog / and he let the bird go.” This moment is a powerful one, as it shows that even hunters, who are often seen as cruel and heartless, can have moments of compassion and empathy.
Levine then ends the poem with a reflection on the cycle of life and death. He writes, “And the bird flew away / and the hunter went home / and the dog lay down / and the world turned on.” This final stanza is a powerful one, as it shows that life goes on, even in the face of death. It is a reminder that we are all a part of the natural world, and that our actions have consequences.
In conclusion, Small Game is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and our relationship with the natural world. It is a reminder that we are all a part of the cycle of life and death, and that our actions have consequences. It is a poem that is both beautiful and haunting, and it is a testament to Philip Levine’s skill as a poet.
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