'Late Moon' by Philip Levine

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2 a.m.
December, and still no moon
rising from the river.

My mother
home from the beer garden
stands before the open closet

her hands still burning.
She smooths the fur collar,
the scarf, opens the gloves

crumpled like letters.
Nothing is lost
she says to the darkness, nothing.

The moon finally above the town,
The breathless stacks,
the coal clumps,

the quiet cars
whitened at last.
Her small round hand whitens,

the hand a stranger held
and released
while the Polish music wheezed.

I'm drunk, she says,
and knows she's not. In her chair
undoing brassiere and garters

she sighs
and waits for the need
to move.

The moon descends
in a spasm of silver
tearing the screen door,

the eyes of fire
drown in the still river,
and she's herself.

The little jewels
on cheek and chin
darken and go out,

and in darkness
nothing falls
staining her lap.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Late Moon by Philip Levine: A Mesmerizing Look at the Human Condition

Philip Levine’s Late Moon is a hauntingly beautiful poem that offers a mesmerizing look at the human condition. In just a few short verses, the poet captures the essence of humanity, with its joys and sorrows, its triumphs and failures, its love and pain. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and evocative metaphors, Levine presents a world that is both familiar and mysterious, a world that is as complex as it is simple.

The Poem

Late Moon is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines, but its impact is profound. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

“The moon is late, rising in a sky
that is suddenly clear and bright
as the windows of a schoolhouse
after a passing shower.”

The imagery here is vivid and powerful. The moon, a symbol of mystery and wonder, is “late”, as if it has missed an important appointment. The sky, on the other hand, is “suddenly clear and bright”, as if it has been washed clean by a passing shower. This contrast between the moon and the sky creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as if something important is about to happen.

In the second stanza, Levine introduces a new set of images:

“The children are walking home,
arm in arm, waving bits of paper
that sparkle in the streetlights
like a million tiny stars.”

Here, we see the children walking home from school, arm in arm, a symbol of friendship and camaraderie. They are waving bits of paper that sparkle in the streetlights, like a million tiny stars. This image is both beautiful and poignant, as it captures the innocence and joy of childhood, while also hinting at the fragility and transience of life.

In the final stanza, Levine brings these images together:

“The moon has come out now, late,
and shines on the children
as they walk, and the light
seems to lift them off the ground.”

Here, the moon has finally arrived, “late”, as if it has been waiting for the right moment to appear. It shines on the children as they walk, and the light seems to lift them off the ground, as if they are floating on air. This image is both magical and uplifting, as it suggests that there is something transcendent about the human experience, something that can lift us out of the mundane and into the realm of the extraordinary.

Interpretation

Late Moon is a poem that is open to many different interpretations, depending on the reader’s perspective. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, on the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and failures, the love and pain that are part of the human experience.

One way to interpret the poem is as a celebration of childhood. The children in the poem are portrayed as innocent and carefree, walking home from school arm in arm, waving bits of paper that sparkle in the streetlights. The image of the children being lifted off the ground by the moon’s light suggests that there is something magical and transcendent about childhood, something that we lose as we grow older.

Another way to interpret the poem is as a commentary on the passage of time. The moon, a symbol of time and change, is “late”, as if it has missed an important appointment. The sky, on the other hand, is “suddenly clear and bright”, as if it has been washed clean by a passing shower. This contrast between the moon and the sky suggests that time is both unpredictable and inevitable, that it can be delayed but never denied.

Still another way to interpret the poem is as a meditation on the meaning of life. The image of the children being lifted off the ground by the moon’s light suggests that there is something transcendent about the human experience, something that can lift us out of the mundane and into the realm of the extraordinary. This suggests that there is a deeper meaning to life, something that transcends the everyday struggles and challenges that we all face.

Literary Criticism

Late Moon is a masterpiece of modern poetry, with its vivid imagery, powerful language, and evocative metaphors. The poem is a testament to Levine’s skill as a poet, as he is able to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Levine’s descriptions of the moon and the sky, the children and the bits of paper, are all evocative and powerful, creating a world that is both familiar and mysterious. The contrast between the moon and the sky, for example, creates a sense of tension and anticipation, while the image of the children being lifted off the ground by the moon’s light is both magical and uplifting.

Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of language. Levine’s language is both simple and complex, with its use of everyday words and complex metaphors. The use of the word “late”, for example, is simple but powerful, creating a sense of tension and anticipation. The use of the metaphor of the moon as a symbol of time and change is also powerful, suggesting that time is both unpredictable and inevitable.

Finally, the poem is a testament to Levine’s skill as a poet. His ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines is remarkable, as is his ability to create a world that is both familiar and mysterious. Late Moon is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Late Moon is a hauntingly beautiful poem that offers a mesmerizing look at the human condition. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and evocative metaphors, the poem captures the essence of humanity, with its joys and sorrows, its triumphs and failures, its love and pain. Whether interpreted as a celebration of childhood, a commentary on the passage of time, or a meditation on the meaning of life, the poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the skill and vision of Philip Levine.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Late Moon: A Poem of Reflection and Nostalgia

Philip Levine's poem "Late Moon" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Levine captures the essence of a moment in time and invites the reader to join him in contemplating the mysteries of life.

The poem begins with a description of the moon, which is "late" in the sense that it is rising later than usual. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The moon, a symbol of time and change, is a fitting metaphor for the themes that Levine explores in the poem.

Levine goes on to describe the moon as "a pale, white disc / that rises over the dark hills / like a lost coin." This image is both beautiful and haunting, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. The moon, like a lost coin, seems to be searching for something, perhaps a sense of purpose or meaning in the vastness of the universe.

As the poem continues, Levine shifts his focus to the landscape around him. He describes the "empty fields" and "abandoned farms" that surround him, painting a picture of a world that has been left behind by progress and modernity. This sense of loss and abandonment is a recurring theme in Levine's work, and it is particularly poignant in "Late Moon."

Levine's language is simple and direct, but it is also deeply evocative. He describes the "faint smell of manure" and the "distant barking of a dog," creating a sense of place and atmosphere that is both vivid and haunting. The poem is full of sensory details that bring the world to life, from the "crickets in the grass" to the "dew on the leaves."

As the poem reaches its climax, Levine turns his attention back to the moon. He describes it as "a silver coin / that has lost its shine," a symbol of the passage of time and the fading of beauty. This image is both sad and beautiful, capturing the bittersweet nature of life and the inevitability of change.

Levine ends the poem with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that "we are all lost coins / in a world that has forgotten us." This final image is both powerful and poignant, capturing the sense of isolation and alienation that many people feel in the modern world.

Overall, "Late Moon" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of life and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Levine invites the reader to contemplate the mysteries of existence and to reflect on the beauty and sadness of life. Whether read as a meditation on the natural world or as a reflection on the human condition, "Late Moon" is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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