'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 closether hands still burning.
She smooths the fur collar,
the scarf, opens the glovescrumpled 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 gartersshe 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: An Exploration of Levine's Poetry
Philip Levine's "Late Moon" is a poem that explores the complexities of memory and the emotional weight that memories can carry with them. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Levine to experiment with form and structure while exploring the theme of memory.
Overview of the Poem
"Late Moon" is a poem that reflects on the speaker's memories of his father. The speaker begins by describing the moon as it rises over the rooftops, and he is immediately transported back in time to memories of his childhood. The speaker remembers the sound of his father's voice, the smell of gasoline on his father's clothes, and the way his father's hands shook.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with its own distinct focus. The first stanza is a description of the moon and the speaker's memories of his childhood. The second stanza focuses on the speaker's memories of his father and the emotions that these memories evoke. The third and final stanza returns to the moon, which has now set, and the speaker's feelings of sadness and loss.
Memory and Emotion
One of the central themes of "Late Moon" is memory and the emotional weight that memories can carry. Throughout the poem, the speaker is transported back in time to memories of his childhood and his father. These memories are not just visual, but also auditory and olfactory. The speaker remembers the sound of his father's voice, the smell of gasoline on his father's clothes, and the way his father's hands shook. These sensory details make the memories more vivid and emotionally charged.
As the poem progresses, the emotions associated with these memories become more pronounced. In the second stanza, the speaker describes the way his father's hands shook and the fear that this instilled in him as a child. The speaker also describes the way his father's eyes would "glaze over" when he was drinking, which suggests that his father had a problem with alcohol. These memories are not just neutral recollections of the past, but are infused with emotional weight that colors the speaker's experience.
Form and Structure
One of the strengths of "Late Moon" is its use of free verse to explore the theme of memory. Free verse allows Levine to experiment with form and structure, creating a poem that is fluid and dynamic. The lack of a set rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a sense of openness and freedom, which is appropriate for a poem that is exploring the complexities of memory.
Despite the lack of a set form, "Late Moon" is still structured in a way that reinforces its themes. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own focus. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the theme of memory, while the second stanza explores the emotions associated with the memories. The third stanza returns to the moon, which has now set, and the speaker's feelings of sadness and loss. This structure gives the poem a sense of progression, as the speaker moves from memories of the past to his present emotions.
Imagery and Language
Levine's use of imagery and language is another strength of "Late Moon." The poem is full of sensory details that bring the memories to life. The image of the moon rising over the rooftops is a powerful one, and is repeated throughout the poem to create a sense of continuity. The description of the moon as "fat and yellow" in the first stanza is contrasted with its description as "thin and white" in the third stanza, which emphasizes the passing of time and the speaker's feelings of loss.
The language in "Late Moon" is simple and direct, which allows the emotions associated with the memories to take center stage. The repetition of the phrase "my father" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of this relationship to the speaker. The ending lines of the poem, "there is nothing left / but our grief, which is pure and savage," are a powerful statement on the emotional weight of memory.
Conclusion
"Late Moon" is a powerful exploration of memory and the emotional weight that memories can carry. Levine's use of free verse, imagery, and language creates a poem that is both dynamic and emotionally charged. The poem's structure reinforces its themes, and the sensory details bring the memories to life. Overall, "Late Moon" is a masterful example of Levine's poetic style and his ability to explore complex themes through language and imagery.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a powerful medium that can evoke a range of emotions in its readers. Philip Levine's "Late Moon" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a moment and transport the reader to a different time and place. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Late Moon" to understand its significance in the world of poetry.
"Late Moon" is a poem that describes a moment in time when the speaker is walking home from work late at night. The moon is out, and the speaker is struck by its beauty. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. The speaker describes the moon as "a pale yellow balloon" that is "caught in the branches of a tree." This image is both beautiful and eerie, as the moon seems to be trapped in the tree. The speaker also notes that the moon is "low in the sky," which creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the moon. The use of the word "late" in the title of the poem also adds to the sense of intimacy, as it suggests that the speaker is alone and walking home in the middle of the night.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's thoughts and emotions. The speaker notes that the moon "seems to have risen / from the ruins of some great city." This image is both haunting and beautiful, as it suggests that the moon is a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of destruction. The speaker also notes that the moon "casts a cold light / on the empty streets." This image creates a sense of loneliness and isolation, as the speaker is the only one walking on the streets at this late hour. The use of the word "cold" also adds to the sense of isolation, as it suggests that the speaker is alone and vulnerable.
The third and final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the moon. The speaker notes that the moon "seems to have come / from a place beyond the world." This image is both mystical and otherworldly, as it suggests that the moon is not of this world. The speaker also notes that the moon "casts a spell / on the sleeping houses." This image creates a sense of magic and enchantment, as the moon seems to have the power to cast a spell on the world around it.
One of the most striking aspects of "Late Moon" is the use of imagery. Levine uses vivid and evocative images to create a sense of mood and atmosphere in the poem. The image of the moon caught in the branches of a tree is particularly powerful, as it creates a sense of beauty and eeriness at the same time. The image of the moon rising from the ruins of a great city is also striking, as it suggests that the moon is a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of destruction.
Another important aspect of "Late Moon" is the use of language. Levine uses simple and direct language to convey complex emotions and ideas. The use of the word "late" in the title of the poem, for example, creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is carried throughout the poem. The use of the word "cold" to describe the moon's light also creates a sense of isolation and loneliness.
In conclusion, "Late Moon" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. Through its use of imagery and language, the poem creates a sense of mood and atmosphere that transports the reader to a different time and place. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
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