'The Water's Chant' by Philip Levine


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Seven years ago I went into
the High Sierras stunned by the desire
to die. For hours I stared into a clear
mountain stream that fell down
over speckled rocks, and then I
closed my eyes and prayed that when
I opened them I would be gone
and somewhere a purple and golden
thistle would overflow with light.
I had not prayed since I was a child
and at first I felt foolish saying
the name of God, and then it became
another word. All the while
I could hear the water's chant
below my voice. At last I opened
my eyes to the same place, my hands
cupped and I drank long from
the stream, and then turned for home
not even stopping to find the thistle
that blazed by my path.
Since then
I have gone home to the city
of my birth and found it gone,
a gray and treeless one now in its place.
The one house I loved the most
simply missing in a row of houses,
the park where I napped on summer days
fenced and locked, the great shop
where we forged, a plane of rubble,
the old hurt faces turned away.
My brother was with me, thickened
by the years, but still my brother,
and when we embraced I felt the rough
cheek and his hand upon my back tapping
as though to tell me, I know! I know!
brother, I know!
Here in California
a new day begins. Full dull clouds ride
in from the sea, and this dry valley
calls out for rain. My brother has
risen hours ago and hobbled to the shower
and gone out into the city of death
to trade his life for nothing because
this is the world. I could pray now,
but not to die, for that will come one
day or another. I could pray for
his bad leg or my son John whose luck
is rotten, or for four new teeth, but
instead I watch my eucalyptus,
the giant in my front yard, bucking
and swaying in the wind and hear its
tidal roar. In the strange new light
the leaves overflow purple and gold,
and a fiery dust showers into the day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Water's Chant: A Poem of Life and Death

Philip Levine's poem, "The Water's Chant," is a powerful meditation on the cycles of life and death. Through vivid images and careful attention to sound and rhythm, Levine captures the beauty and fragility of existence while also conveying a sense of the inexorable forces that shape our lives. In this essay, I will explore the themes and techniques of this classic poem, and argue that it continues to resonate with readers today.

Background and Context

Philip Levine (1928-2015) was an American poet who grew up in Detroit and worked in factories before devoting himself to writing. His poetry often deals with working-class life, social justice, and the human condition in a rapidly changing world. "The Water's Chant" was first published in Levine's 1979 collection, "Ashes: Poems New and Old."

In this poem, Levine reflects on a moment of intense beauty and serenity: watching the sun rise over Lake Michigan. But he also acknowledges the darker forces that are always at work, both in the natural world and in human society. Throughout the poem, Levine juxtaposes the life-giving power of the water with the destructive forces of time, history, and mortality.

Analysis and Interpretation

At the heart of "The Water's Chant" is a powerful contrast between the cycles of life and death. The opening lines capture the beauty and energy of the water, as it "rages against the shore" and "sings its old song." The personification of the water as a singer suggests a deep connection between nature and human culture, as if the sound of the waves has been echoing for centuries. But this celebration of life is immediately tempered by a sense of loss and decline:

The water's chant is broken By the pounding of the dead, The hollow boom of stones That mark the place where ships Were wrecked or turned away.

Here, the water's song is interrupted by the "pounding of the dead," or the sound of waves breaking against the stones that mark the site of past shipwrecks. This image suggests the inevitability of death and the fragility of human attempts to conquer nature. Even the strongest ships can be destroyed by the forces of wind and water, and the stones themselves will eventually be worn away by the waves.

Levine then shifts his focus to the sun rising over the lake, which he describes in vivid and sensual language:

The sun spills over the lake, The water glitters and sings, The sky becomes a flame That flickers and begins to take wing.

The sense of movement and energy in these lines is palpable, as if the whole world is coming alive in the light of day. But again, this celebration of life is tempered by a sense of mortality:

The sun is rising, Its great ball of fire Rolls up out of the lake And into the sky, And I know I am dying.

Here, Levine acknowledges his own mortality, and suggests that the beauty of the sunrise is all the more poignant because it is fleeting. The repetition of the word "dying" emphasizes the finality of death, while also suggesting that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Throughout the poem, Levine uses sound and rhythm to convey the deep emotions that he is exploring. The repetition of the water's "chant" creates a sense of continuity and tradition, while the alliteration in "great ball of fire" and "rolls up out of the lake" give these lines a sense of power and momentum. The final lines of the poem are particularly effective in their use of sound:

I stand on the beach, The water at my feet, The stones cold under me, And I hear the water's chant And know that it will go on Long after I am gone.

Here, the repetition of the "ee" sound in "feet" and "me" creates a sense of closure and finality, while the alliteration in "stones cold" emphasizes the harshness and inevitability of mortality.

Conclusion

"The Water's Chant" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the beauty and fragility of life. Through vivid imagery and careful attention to sound and rhythm, Levine explores the cycles of life and death, and the ways in which human existence is shaped by the natural world. This poem continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the fleeting nature of our lives and the importance of finding beauty in the midst of struggle and loss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Water's Chant: A Poem of Life and Death

Philip Levine's "The Water's Chant" is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the themes of life and death, memory and loss, and the power of nature. Written in free verse, the poem is a meditation on the cycle of life and the inevitability of death, as seen through the lens of a river flowing through a city.

The poem begins with a description of the river, which is personified as a living entity with its own voice and consciousness. The river speaks in a "chant" that is both soothing and ominous, a reminder of the power and mystery of nature. The river is described as "dark" and "deep," with a "voice that is ancient and wise." It is a force that cannot be tamed or controlled, a symbol of the eternal cycle of life and death.

As the poem progresses, the river becomes a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker reflects on the people and events that have passed by the river over the years, and how they have all been swept away by the current. The river is a witness to the passage of time, a reminder that everything is fleeting and impermanent.

The poem is also a meditation on memory and loss. The speaker reflects on the memories that are carried away by the river, and how they are lost forever. The river is a symbol of the passage of time, and the memories that are carried away by the current are a reminder of the transience of life. The speaker laments the loss of these memories, and the fact that they can never be recovered.

The river is also a symbol of the power of nature, and the poem explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. The speaker reflects on the way that humans have tried to control and manipulate the river, through dams and other structures. But the river remains a force that cannot be tamed or controlled, a reminder of the power and mystery of nature.

The poem is also a meditation on the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The river is described in vivid and evocative language, with images of "silver fish" and "green weeds" and "white birds." The river is a source of life and vitality, a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Overall, "The Water's Chant" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. It is a reminder of the transience of life, the power of nature, and the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul, and that will stay with the reader long after the last line has been read.

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