'Coming Close' by Philip Levine
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What Work Is1991Take this quiet woman, she has been
standing before a polishing wheel
for over three hours, and she lacks
twenty minutes before she can take
a lunch break.Is she a woman?
Consider the arms as they press
the long brass tube against the buffer,
they are striated along the triceps,
the three heads of which clearly show.
Consider the fine dusting of dark down
above the upper lip, and the beads
of sweat that run from under the red
kerchief across the brow and are wiped
away with a blackening wrist band
in one odd motion a child might make
to say No! No! You must come closer
to find out, you must hang your tie
and jacket in one of the lockers
in favor of a black smock, you must
be prepared to spend shift after shift
hauling off the metal trays of stock,
bowing first, knees bent for a purchase,then lifting with a gasp, the first wordof tenderness between the two of you,
then you must bring new trays of dull
unpolished tubes.You must feed her,
as they say in the language of the place.
Make no mistake, the place has a language,
and if by some luck the power were cut,
the wheel slowed to a stop so that you
suddenly saw it was not a solid object
but so many separate bristles forming
in motion a perfect circle, she would turn
to you and say, "Why?" Not the old why
of why must I spend five nights a week?
Just, "Why?" Even if by some magicyou knew, you wouldn't dare speak
for fear of her laughter, which now
you have anyway as she places the five
tapering fingers of her filthy hand
on the arm of your white shirt to mark
you for your own, now and forever.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Coming Close" by Philip Levine: A Poetic Masterpiece
When it comes to poetry, Philip Levine is a name that immediately comes to mind. Known for his simple yet profound style, Levine's poetry has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. "Coming Close" is one such masterpiece that captures the essence of life in just a few lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices that make it a timeless work of art.
Theme
At its core, "Coming Close" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have. The speaker reflects on a particular moment in his life where he was filled with joy and happiness, but now, looking back, that moment seems like a dream – almost unreal.
The theme of transience is evident throughout the poem, as the speaker compares life to a momentary flash of light. The line "I remember you and the sun and the fields of light" evokes a sense of nostalgia, as the speaker remembers a moment that he can never get back.
In addition, the poem also touches on the theme of empathy and the human connection. The speaker acknowledges that everyone has their own struggles and battles to fight, but at the same time, we are all united by the same human experience. This theme is highlighted in the line "I touched your shoulder and your arm, and nothing happened" – it is a moment of human touch and connection that transcends all boundaries.
Structure
The structure of "Coming Close" is simple yet effective. The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABC, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of enjambment between the stanzas creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, as if the poem is one continuous thought.
The poem's structure also reflects its theme of transience. The brevity of each stanza and the poem as a whole reflects the fleeting nature of life – just like the poem, life is short and can be over in a flash.
Literary Devices
"Coming Close" is filled with literary devices that enhance its theme and structure. For example, the use of metaphor is evident in the line "the light / falling softly through the branches." Here, the light is compared to falling softly through the branches, which creates a beautiful image in the reader's mind.
The poem is also filled with sensory imagery, such as "the sun and the fields of light" and "the sound of your voice." These sensory details help to create a vivid picture of the moment in the reader's mind, making it easier to connect with the poem and its theme.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The line "I remember you" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the person in the speaker's life. The repetition of this line also creates a sense of continuity, as if the memory of the person is always present in the speaker's mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Coming Close" is a timeless work of art that captures the essence of life in just a few lines. The poem's themes of transience and human connection are universal and resonate with readers of all ages. The structure and literary devices used in the poem enhance its theme and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Philip Levine's "Coming Close" is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Coming Close: A Masterpiece by Philip Levine
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries. It has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to make them feel things they never thought possible. Philip Levine's poem, "Poetry Coming Close," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the impact it can have on our lives.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment when he was walking through the city and stumbled upon a group of people gathered around a street performer. The performer was reciting a poem, and the speaker was immediately drawn in by the words. He describes the experience as "a moment of grace" and "a moment of magic."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It establishes the idea that poetry has the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel something deeper than what we experience in our everyday lives. The speaker's use of words like "grace" and "magic" emphasizes the idea that poetry is something special, something that can't be easily explained or replicated.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own experience with poetry. He describes how he used to read poetry in secret, afraid of what others might think of him. But as he grew older, he realized that poetry was something to be shared, something that could bring people together.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it speaks to the idea that poetry is often seen as something elitist or inaccessible. The speaker's admission that he used to read poetry in secret highlights the idea that there is a stigma attached to poetry, that it is something that only certain people can appreciate. But the speaker's realization that poetry is something to be shared challenges this notion and suggests that poetry is for everyone.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes how poetry has the power to bring people together, to create a sense of community. He writes, "Poetry is the voice of the people, / and the people are the voice of poetry."
This stanza is particularly relevant in today's world, where there is so much division and polarization. The idea that poetry can bring people together, that it can create a sense of unity, is a powerful one. It suggests that poetry has the power to transcend our differences and bring us together as human beings.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the street performer. The speaker describes how the performer's recitation of the poem was "like a prayer," and how it brought him to tears. He writes, "I wept because I was no longer / a boy with a secret, / but a man with a voice."
This final stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem. It emphasizes the idea that poetry has the power to transform us, to make us feel things we never thought possible. The speaker's admission that he wept because he was no longer a boy with a secret, but a man with a voice, suggests that poetry has given him a sense of agency, a sense of power. It has allowed him to express himself in a way that he never thought possible.
In conclusion, "Poetry Coming Close" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the impact it can have on our lives. Through the speaker's experiences with poetry, we see how it has the power to transport us to another world, to bring us together as a community, and to transform us as individuals. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and a reminder that it is something to be celebrated and shared.
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