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WHAT WE DID TO WHAT WE WERE, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Philip Levine's "What We Did to What We Were" is a stark and evocative poem that captures the profound sense of loss and transformation experienced by those living in poverty. Through vivid imagery and a somber tone, Levine explores the changes wrought by time, development, and socio-economic forces on individuals and their communities.

The poem opens with a journey through idyllic-sounding places: "Towering Wheat and the Valley of Honey." These names evoke images of abundance and sweetness, but this initial sense of plenty quickly gives way to the harsh reality of "another morning" breaking on the "frightened houses of the poor." This juxtaposition sets the stage for the poem's exploration of disillusionment and decay.

Levine then shifts focus to the women of the community, who are engaged in heated arguments, their faces described as "knotted little faces." The repetition of the word "never" underscores their sense of hopelessness and resignation. The "stained and suited conductor" scoring his ticket punch in the air symbolizes the relentless passage of time and the repetitive, cyclical nature of their struggles.

The train, a common symbol of progress and movement, is described as "blinded in the howling tunnels," suggesting a journey without direction or purpose, and reinforcing the sense of entrapment felt by the characters. The young woman in black, trying to hide her "barren gums," speaks volumes with her simple statement: "It's nothing." This line encapsulates the despair and acceptance of their bleak circumstances.

As the train moves past, the imagery of "rows of olives groping up the clay hills" and "goats huddled in the burning cellars of the New Hilton" paints a picture of a landscape and a community in transition. The olives and goats symbolize a traditional, agrarian way of life struggling to survive amidst the encroaching forces of modern development. The "New Hilton," now "only a hole in the ground" and a "column of air whitening into concrete," represents the disruptive and often destructive impact of urbanization and commercial expansion.

Levine's use of language and imagery effectively conveys the themes of loss and transformation. The poem captures the sense of what has been done to a community and its people, reflecting on how progress and development can strip away the essence of what they once were. The tone of the poem is one of mourning and resignation, yet it also carries a subtle critique of the socio-economic forces that perpetuate such conditions.

"What We Did to What We Were" is a poignant meditation on the impact of change and the erosion of community and identity. Through his powerful imagery and evocative narrative, Levine invites readers to reflect on the cost of progress and the enduring struggles of those left behind.


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