Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "Call It Music" is a deeply reflective poem that captures moments of personal introspection and the enduring impact of musical genius, particularly through the lens of jazz legend Charlie Parker. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative narrative, Levine weaves together themes of memory, identity, and the transcendental nature of music.

The poem opens with the speaker experiencing a moment of rhythm in his own breath, suggesting a rare alignment with the natural flow of life. This initial sense of harmony sets the tone for the poem, hinting at the fleeting nature of such moments. The setting is Brooklyn Heights, a place the speaker is alone in, yet finds a sense of connection through the radio playing "Bird Flight," a program dedicated to the music of Charlie Parker. The mention of Parker’s "California tragic voice" and his rendition of "Lover Man" evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, setting up a contrast between the past and the present.

Levine vividly describes the scene outside the recording studio in Burbank, where the sun shines high above the jacarandas on a clear March day. This imagery creates a stark juxtaposition with the inner turmoil Parker was experiencing, highlighting the disconnect between external beauty and internal chaos. The anecdote about Howard McGhee comforting Parker, believing he could simply sleep off his troubles, adds a layer of human vulnerability and camaraderie to the narrative. McGhee's care and concern for Parker emphasize the personal connections that transcend the often impersonal world of fame and artistry.

The speaker's reflections on his own breath—describing its taste as "part milk, part iron, part blood"—suggest a meditation on the physicality of life and the automatic processes that sustain it. This contemplation leads to the realization that these essential functions have names and meanings beyond the speaker's understanding, indicating a sense of humility and the recognition of life's complexities.

Levine then shifts back to Howard McGhee and his memories of Parker, describing a silent journey through a vibrant, ever-changing landscape. The details of filling stations, fruit stands, and kiosks selling trinkets paint a picture of an America that is both ordinary and extraordinary. This setting becomes a backdrop for the "silent music of Charlie Parker," a phrase that encapsulates the ineffable quality of Parker's genius, which resonates beyond words.

The poem continues with the speaker reminiscing about his own past, working on the loading docks and singing Yiddish drinking songs taught by his grandfather. These personal memories anchor the speaker in a lineage of lived experiences, connecting the past to the present. The mention of Howard's teaching days and their encounter at Cass Tech underscores the passage of time and the enduring influence of mentors and teachers.

In the final stanzas, Levine reflects on Howard's optimism and possible religious faith, recognizing the complexity of human resilience and acceptance. The poem's closing lines return to the theme of music as a necessary, transcendent force. The "silent note" of Parker’s genius becomes a metaphor for the enduring legacy of art and the way it continues to influence and inspire long after the artist is gone.

"Call It Music" beautifully encapsulates the profound impact of music and memory on the human soul. Through Levine's masterful storytelling and rich imagery, the poem becomes a meditation on the intersections of personal history, artistic legacy, and the universal need for connection and meaning. The contemplation of breath, music, and the natural world intertwines to create a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences of loss, beauty, and the search for harmony in the chaos of life.