|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Philip Levine’s poem "Told" is a rich and evocative exploration of nature, renewal, and the subtle, often mysterious ways in which the world communicates with us. The poem is suffused with vivid imagery and a deep sense of interconnectedness between the speaker and the natural environment. The opening lines set a serene yet slightly surreal scene: "The air lay softly on the green fur / of the almond, it was April." This peaceful image of the almond tree in spring is disrupted by the speaker's statement, "I begin again," suggesting a moment of personal renewal or a new chapter in life. However, this fresh start is accompanied by discomfort, as indicated by "my hands burned in the damp earth." The juxtaposition of beginning anew and the burning hands hints at the complexities and challenges inherent in change. The light that runs between the speaker's fingers is described as "a black light like no other," adding a layer of mystery and ambiguity. This "black light" contrasts with typical associations of light with clarity and warmth, instead suggesting something more obscure and unsettling. The poem continues to weave together images of nature that are both beautiful and haunting. The linnet (a type of small songbird) settling on the oleander, the swelling green pod, and the slowly untwisting leaf evoke a sense of growth and life. However, these images are tempered by darker elements, such as "the slashed egg fallen from the nest" and "the tongue of grass tasting," which imply violence and predation within the natural cycle. Levine’s use of sensory details and natural phenomena—"a pulse slowing in the eyes," "the dove mourning in shadow," "a nerve waking in the groin"—creates a deeply immersive experience. These physical sensations and observations suggest an intimate connection between the speaker and the environment, as if the speaker is attuned to the subtle messages of the natural world. The "distant hills / turning their white heads away" evoke a sense of isolation or indifference from the larger landscape, adding to the poem's contemplative tone. The imagery of "clouds assembling in the trees" and "the blooming of a black mouth beneath the rose" continues to blend beauty with an undercurrent of darkness, suggesting the coexistence of creation and decay. The final lines, "the worm sobbing, the dust / settling on my eyelid, told / by salt, by water, told and told," encapsulate the poem's theme of being communicated to by nature. The repetition of "told" emphasizes the relentless and varied ways in which the world imparts its wisdom or messages. The reference to "salt" and "water" invokes fundamental elements of life, reinforcing the idea that these messages are essential and omnipresent. "Told" by Philip Levine is a meditation on the interplay between human experience and the natural world. Through its vivid and often contrasting imagery, the poem explores themes of renewal, suffering, and the profound, often cryptic ways in which nature speaks to us. Levine’s language and imagery invite readers to reflect on their own connections with the environment and the subtle signs that guide their lives.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HASTY PUDDING by JOEL BARLOW THE INNOVATOR by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE MOUSE by ELIZABETH JANE COATSWORTH DREAM-LOVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ON LOOKING INTO GOLDING'S OVID by STEVE SCAFIDI JR. EPIPSYCHIDION by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY |
|