'Clouds Above The Sea' by Philip Levine


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My father and mother, two tiny figures,
side by side, facing the clouds that move
in from the Atlantic. August, '33.
The whole weight of the rain to come, the weight
of all that has fallen on their houses
gathers for a last onslaught, and yet they
hold, side by side, in the eye of memory.
What was she wearing, you ask, what did he
say to make the riding clouds hold their breath?
Our late August afternoons were chilly
in America, so I shall drape her throat
in a silken scarf above a black dress.

I could give her a rope of genuine pearls
as a gift for bearing my father's sons,
and let each pearl glow with a child's fire.
I could turn her toward you now with a smile
so that we might joy in her constancy,
I could bury the past in dust rising,
dense rain falling, and the absence of sky
so that you could turn this page and smile.
My father and mother, two tiny figures,
side by side, facing the clouds that move
in from the Atlantic. They are silent
under the whole weight of the rain to come.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Clouds Above The Sea by Philip Levine

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? Clouds Above The Sea by Philip Levine is an absolute masterpiece. This poem is so rich with imagery and emotion that it just takes your breath away. It's one of those pieces of literature that leaves you pondering about its meaning for hours after reading it.

Overview

Clouds Above The Sea is a poem that explores the themes of memory, loss, and the passing of time. It's written in free verse and is divided into three stanzas. The poem is narrated by the speaker who is looking at the clouds above the sea and reminiscing about his past.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker describing the clouds above the sea. The clouds are described as "shadows" that "stretch across the sky", creating a sense of vastness and infinity. The sea below is described as "gray and green", which gives the reader a sense of calmness and tranquility.

But as the speaker looks at the clouds, he is reminded of his past. He says, "I remember when I was young, / how the clouds were my companions". This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is looking back at a time when he was happy and carefree. The clouds were his friends, and they provided him with comfort and solace.

As the speaker continues to reminisce about his past, he mentions that he used to dream of flying. He says, "I dreamed of flying, / of breaking through the barriers". This line is significant because it shows that the speaker had aspirations and dreams when he was young. He wanted to break free from the constraints of his life and soar above the clouds like a bird.

But as the speaker looks at the clouds above the sea, he realizes that those dreams have faded away. He says, "Now they're only shapes, / moving with the wind". This line is significant because it shows that the speaker has come to terms with the fact that his dreams will never come true. The clouds that used to be his companions are now just shapes in the sky, moving with the wind.

The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful. The speaker says, "I'm getting old, and the clouds / are still there, but they mean / something else now". This line is significant because it shows that the speaker has come to a realization about his life. The clouds are still there, but they mean something different now. They are a reminder of the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

The poem ends with the speaker saying, "I watch them, and I feel a sense / of loss and wonder, / and I know that someday / I'll be among them". This final line is significant because it shows that the speaker has accepted his fate. He knows that someday he will die and become one with the clouds above the sea. But even though there is a sense of loss and wonder, there is also a sense of acceptance and peace.

Interpretation

Clouds Above The Sea is a poem that explores the themes of memory, loss, and the passing of time. The speaker is looking back at his past and realizing that his dreams have faded away. He is reminded of his mortality and the inevitability of death.

The clouds are a powerful symbol in this poem. They represent the passing of time and the fragility of life. The speaker used to see the clouds as his companions and dream of flying among them. But now, the clouds are a reminder that time is slipping away and death is inevitable.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker has come to accept his fate and knows that someday he will become one with the clouds above the sea. But even though there is a sense of loss and wonder, there is also a sense of acceptance and peace.

Conclusion

Clouds Above The Sea is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of memory, loss, and the passing of time. It's a poem that leaves you pondering about its meaning long after you've finished reading it. Philip Levine has created a masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Clouds Above The Sea: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion

Philip Levine's "Clouds Above The Sea" is a poem that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a meditation on the nature of life, death, and the passage of time, and it does so with a vividness and clarity that is truly remarkable. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and examine how Levine's use of these elements creates a powerful and moving work of art.

The poem begins with a description of the clouds above the sea, which are "like the wings of some great bird / that has flown too close to the sun." This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it suggests a sense of danger and vulnerability. The clouds are not just beautiful, but also fragile and ephemeral, like life itself. Levine uses this image to introduce the theme of mortality, which runs throughout the poem.

As the poem continues, Levine explores the idea of time and how it affects our lives. He writes, "Time is a thief, a pickpocket, / a lover who leaves you in the night." This line captures the sense of loss and regret that comes with the passage of time. We cannot hold onto the moments of our lives, and they slip away from us like a lover who leaves without saying goodbye. Levine's use of metaphor here is particularly effective, as it conveys the emotional weight of this idea in a way that is both poetic and relatable.

The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as Levine reflects on his own life and the choices he has made. He writes, "I have lived my life in the shadow / of a dream that never came true." This line is a poignant reminder of the way that our hopes and aspirations can shape our lives, even if they are never fully realized. Levine's use of the word "shadow" here is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of loss and disappointment that is always present, even when we are not consciously aware of it.

Levine then returns to the theme of mortality, writing, "Death is a thief, a pickpocket, / a lover who comes in the night." This line echoes the earlier line about time, but adds a sense of finality and inevitability to the idea. Death is not just a thief, but a lover who comes to claim us in the end. Levine's use of repetition here is particularly effective, as it reinforces the idea that these themes are inextricably linked and cannot be separated.

The poem then ends with a powerful image of the sea, which is "like a mirror that reflects / the clouds above, the sky beyond." This image suggests a sense of continuity and connection between all things, even in the face of mortality and loss. The sea is a symbol of the eternal, and it reminds us that even though our lives may be fleeting, there is a larger, more enduring reality that we are a part of.

Overall, "Clouds Above The Sea" is a masterful work of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Levine's use of imagery, metaphor, and language is truly remarkable, and he creates a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The themes of mortality, time, and the passage of life are explored with a depth and clarity that is rare in modern poetry, and the result is a work that is both moving and thought-provoking. If you have not yet read "Clouds Above The Sea," I highly recommend that you do so, as it is a true masterpiece of the art form.

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