Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "Bloodstone" is a contemplative and introspective poem that delves into themes of identity, permanence, and the passage of time. Through the metaphor of a bloodstone—a dark green stone flecked with red—Levine explores the complex relationship between the self and the enduring, often mysterious nature of existence.

The poem opens with a direct address to the bloodstone: "This is you, dark green, bloodflecked." This vivid description immediately situates the stone as a symbol of something deeply personal and significant. The stone's changing appearance—"When the light changes you milk over like the eye itself and are gray and luminous"—reflects the fluidity and complexity of perception and identity. The stone's ability to shift in different lights suggests a deeper, hidden essence that is only partially revealed to the observer.

The speaker identifies himself as "someone who abides by stone, who cherishes / and each day gives the light a name." This line highlights a sense of devotion and reverence for the stone, as well as an ongoing engagement with the changing light, symbolizing a daily ritual of understanding and naming the ephemeral aspects of life. The act of naming the light each day underscores the speaker's attempt to grasp and make sense of the ever-changing world around him.

In the dark, the stone speaks: "Now you can't find me, and are everywhere." This paradoxical statement captures the elusive nature of the stone, representing the elusive aspects of the self or of life itself. The speaker's reaching out and feeling nothing, combined with the knowledge that "this is how it will be," conveys a sense of existential uncertainty and the inevitable sense of loss and disconnection that accompanies it.

The poem then shifts to a storytelling mode: "One man grows brittle, stumbles and falls, with two one will help, and three are better." This story within the poem highlights the themes of vulnerability and the necessity of connection and support. The stone's laughter and its assertion, "I made the story and I made it true," emphasize its omnipotent and omnipresent nature, blurring the lines between the creator and the creation.

The speaker's relationship with the stone is further explored through the imagery of a "silver cage," where the stone comes to his hand each morning "with first light" and "glow[s] and purr[s]." This imagery of entrapment and tenderness suggests a complex interplay of control and affection. The stone is described in terms that evoke both hardness and softness, contrasting its physical durability with its intimate, almost tender presence.

The poem's concluding lines bring a sense of resolution and surrender: "now you have me, and I follow upstairs and down, inside and out, letting you lead the way like a light." This surrender to the stone, allowing it to guide the speaker, signifies a profound acceptance of its influence and presence. The final image of the bloodstone as "cold as rain" and the act of carving a name in stone suggest a desire for permanence and an acknowledgment of the stone's enduring significance.

"Bloodstone" is a meditation on the interplay between the tangible and the intangible, the permanent and the ephemeral. Levine's use of rich, evocative imagery and the fluid movement between concrete descriptions and abstract reflections create a layered and resonant exploration of identity and existence. The poem invites readers to contemplate their own relationships with the enduring symbols and rituals in their lives, and the ways in which these shape their understanding of self and the world. Through his masterful use of language and metaphor, Levine crafts a poignant and introspective piece that resonates with the universal human experience of seeking meaning and connection in a transient world.

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