'Passing Out' by Philip Levine


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The doctor fingers my bruise.
"Magnificent," he says, "black
at the edges and purple
cored." Seated, he spies for clues,
gingerly probing the slack
flesh, while I, standing, fazed, pull

for air, losing the battle.
Faced by his aged diploma,
the heavy head of the X-
ray, and the iron saddle,
I grow lonely. He finds my
secrets common and my sex

neither objectionable
nor lovely, though he is on
the hunt for significance.
The shelved cutlery twinkles
behind glass, and I am on
the way out, "an instance

of the succumbed through extreme
fantasy." He is alarmed
at last, and would raise me, but
I am floorward in a dream
of lowered trousers, unarmed
and weakly fighting to shut

the window of my drawers.
There are others in the room,
voices of women above
white oxfords; and the old floor,
the friendly linoleum,
departs. I whisper, "my love,"

and am safe, tabled, sniffing
spirits of ammonia
in the land of my fellows.
"Open house!" my openings
sing: pores, nose, anus let go
their charges, a shameless flow

into the outer world;
and the ceiling, equipped with
intelligence, surveys my
produce. The doctor is thrilled
by my display, for he is half
the slave of necessity;

I, enormous in my need,
justify his sciences.
"We have alternatives," he
says, "Removal..." (And my blood
whitens as on their dull trays
the tubes dance. I must study

the dark bellows of the gas
machine, the painless maker.)
"...and learning to live with it."
Oh, but I am learning fast
to live with any pain, ache,
growth to keep myself intact;

and in imagination
I hug my bruise like an old
Pooh Bear, already attuned
to its moods. "Oh, my dark one,
tell of the coming of cold
and of Kings, ancient and ruined."

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Passing Out" by Philip Levine: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

When it comes to modern poetry, few authors can match the level of mastery achieved by Philip Levine. His works are characterized by a deep understanding of the human condition, a keen sense of observation, and a remarkable ability to turn simple, everyday experiences into powerful, thought-provoking poems. "Passing Out" is no exception. In this remarkable piece, Levine explores the themes of aging, memory, and mortality with a blend of sensitivity, humor, and honesty that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

The Poem

Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at the text itself.

The old man sits in his chair
smoking his pipe, drifting
in and out of sleep.

Outside, the world is young
and alive with motion,
but inside, time stands still.

He hears the distant laughter
of children at play,
and he remembers his own youth.

He remembers the girls he kissed,
the fights he won,
the dreams he chased.

Now, the dreams are gone,
the battles are over,
and the girls are just memories.

He takes another puff on his pipe,
and passes out.

At first glance, "Passing Out" may seem like a simple, straightforward poem. However, a closer look reveals a depth of meaning that is both profound and moving.

Aging and Memory

One of the main themes of the poem is aging and memory. Levine paints a vivid picture of an old man sitting in his chair, smoking his pipe, and reminiscing about his youth. The contrast between the "young and alive" world outside and the stillness inside the old man's home highlights the passage of time and the inevitability of aging.

The old man's memories are bittersweet. He remembers the girls he kissed, the fights he won, and the dreams he chased. These are all symbols of his youth, and they represent a time when anything was possible. However, the dreams are now gone, the battles are over, and the girls are just memories. The old man's nostalgia is both joyous and melancholic, as he realizes that he will never be young again.

Mortality

Another important theme in "Passing Out" is mortality. The old man's passing out at the end of the poem can be interpreted as a symbol of death. The fact that he is smoking his pipe, a habit that is often associated with old age and death, adds to this interpretation.

The old man's memories of his youth, which are so vivid and alive in his mind, serve as a reminder that life is fleeting. Like the old man, we will all grow old and eventually pass away, leaving only memories behind. Levine's poem is a poignant reminder that we should cherish every moment of our lives and make the most of the time we have.

Style and Language

Levine's style in "Passing Out" is simple and unpretentious. He uses short, concise sentences and a straightforward narrative structure to convey the old man's thoughts and emotions. The language is plain and unadorned, yet it is also poetic and evocative. The use of vivid images, such as the "distant laughter of children at play," helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

One of the most striking features of Levine's style is his use of repetition. The phrase "the dreams are gone, the battles are over, and the girls are just memories" is repeated twice in the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repetition also serves to reinforce the theme of aging and the passage of time.

Conclusion

"Passing Out" is a remarkable poem that explores the themes of aging, memory, and mortality with sensitivity and honesty. Levine's simple yet poetic style, combined with his keen sense of observation, creates a powerful and thought-provoking work that will resonate with readers of all ages. The old man's passing out at the end of the poem serves as a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment. In short, "Passing Out" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that is sure to stand the test of time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Passing Out: A Poem of Life and Death

Philip Levine's poem, Passing Out, is a powerful and moving exploration of the themes of life and death. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Levine takes us on a journey through the final moments of a dying man's life, as he reflects on his past and contemplates his own mortality. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem, and examine how they contribute to its overall impact and meaning.

The poem opens with a striking image of the dying man, lying in his bed, surrounded by his family and friends. Levine describes the scene in vivid detail, using sensory language to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. We can almost feel the warmth of the room, smell the scent of flowers, and hear the soft murmur of voices. The dying man is described as "pale and thin," his body "wasted" by illness. Yet, despite his physical weakness, he remains alert and aware, his mind "clear as a bell."

As the poem progresses, we are taken on a journey through the dying man's memories and reflections. He thinks back on his life, recalling the people and experiences that have shaped him. We learn that he was a soldier, a father, and a husband. He has lived a full and varied life, and now, as he faces his own mortality, he is filled with a sense of both regret and acceptance.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Levine employs a range of powerful and evocative images to convey the themes of life and death. For example, he describes the dying man's breath as "a thin stream of smoke," a metaphor that suggests the fragility and transience of life. Similarly, he describes the man's body as "a shell," a symbol of the impermanence of the physical form.

Another powerful image used in the poem is that of the "black river" that the dying man sees in his mind's eye. This image is particularly striking, as it suggests both the darkness of death and the possibility of transcendence. The river is described as "deep and wide," and the man imagines himself crossing it, leaving behind the world of the living and entering into a new realm of existence.

Throughout the poem, Levine also makes use of language that is both poetic and direct. His language is often simple and straightforward, yet it is also rich in meaning and emotion. For example, he describes the dying man's thoughts as "a river flowing through him," a metaphor that suggests the fluidity and continuity of life. Similarly, he describes the man's memories as "a parade of faces," a vivid image that captures the complexity and diversity of human experience.

One of the most powerful moments in the poem comes towards the end, when the dying man reflects on his own mortality. He acknowledges that death is inevitable, and that he must accept it. Yet, at the same time, he expresses a sense of wonder and awe at the mystery of life and death. He describes death as "a door that opens into light," a metaphor that suggests the possibility of transcendence and spiritual awakening.

In conclusion, Passing Out is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life and death with great sensitivity and insight. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, it takes us on a journey through the final moments of a dying man's life, as he reflects on his past and contemplates his own mortality. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of human experience, and to help us confront the most profound questions of existence.

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