Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Sweetness of Bobby Hefka" is a poem by Philip Levine, first published in his collection "7 Years From Somewhere". The poem is a personal and nostalgic reflection on a childhood friend, Bobby Hefka.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on how Bobby Hefka "used to stand on the curb / and piss himself" and how they used to laugh about it. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more serious and reflective, thinking about how Bobby was poor and lived in a tough neighborhood, and how he was always so kind and generous despite his circumstances.

The speaker also reflects on the passage of time and how things have changed since he was a child, with Bobby long gone and the neighborhood now a distant memory. The poem ends with the speaker imagining Bobby in heaven, happy and at peace.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: vivid descriptions of childhood memories and the neighborhood
• Tone: Nostalgic and reflective
• Repetition: The repetition of "he was sweetness" emphasizes Bobby's kind and generous nature
• Allusion: The poem references the biblical story of Lazarus, a poor man who finds peace in heaven after a difficult life.

Conclusion:

"The Sweetness of Bobby Hefka" is a moving poem about the speaker's childhood friend and the enduring impact that he had on the speaker's life. The poem explores themes of poverty, kindness, and the passage of time, and showcases Levine's ability to capture vivid images and emotions through his poetry.

Poem Snippet:

"He was sweetness and we laughed

and we never touched him except to pat him

on the back, and now I'm thinking

of you, Bobby, walking through your streets

of snow or your streets of dirt, your thin shoulders

shaking with your sobs, your hands deep

in your pockets, your eyes, your tears,

your life which we never knew, your Lazarus

life in which you found so much pain

and poverty and love, your silence, your death,

your heaven, and ours, Bobby, wherever you are."