Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "How to Get There" is a rich, evocative journey through a specific urban landscape, capturing the stark realities of life in Brooklyn while blending elements of social commentary and personal reflection. Through detailed descriptions and poignant imagery, Levine explores themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

The poem begins with precise directions: "Turn left off Henry onto Middagh Street / to see our famous firehouse, home / of Engine 205 and Hook & Ladder 118." This initial instruction sets a literal path for the reader, grounding the poem in a real, tangible place. The firehouse, with its heroic connotations, serves as a symbol of community strength and protection.

Levine then introduces a mythic painting, "Fire under the Bridge," which decorates the firehouse's sliding door. The painting features a giant American flag and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The flag, "wrinkled by wind," and the bridge, "stretching as best it can / to get a purchase on Manhattan," symbolize both national pride and the struggle to connect and overcome. The "few dismal towers" in the distance further emphasize a sense of looming challenges and the persistence needed to bridge divides.

A shift occurs as Levine describes a small, symbolic scene: "A little deal table holds a tiny American / flag... rooted in a can of hothouse / roses going brown at the edges and beginning / to shed." This image of a wilting flag and dying roses juxtaposes the earlier symbols of strength and resilience with decay and neglect, hinting at the fragility of hope and the passage of time.

The metal collection box, "bearing the names of those lost during the recent burnings," introduces a somber note, memorializing the sacrifices made by the community. The suggestion that the box contains "hush money" or IOUs implies a critique of societal indifference and the insufficient responses to ongoing suffering. The "heart of Brooklyn" growing "cold from so much asking" poignantly captures the weariness of constant need and the diminishing returns of generosity.

As the poem moves down the block, it encounters a sleeping man and his dog: "an ordinary / man, somehow utterly spent," and "a terrier, / its muzzle resting on crossed paws." This scene of homelessness and companionship highlights the stark contrasts within the urban landscape. The man and his dog, together with their humble plea for help represented by a take-out coffee cup and a picture of Jesus, symbolize the vulnerability and dignity of those on society's margins.

Levine's depiction of Jesus as "impossibly young and athletic, and— / as always—alone" adds a layer of irony and poignancy, reflecting on the isolation and idealization of figures of hope and salvation. The hand-lettered sign, "Give what you can," serves as a direct appeal to the reader, urging a response to the visible suffering.

The poem concludes with a contemplation of time and transformation: "If you stand / there long enough / without giving or receiving the shabby, / little terrier will close his eyes." The thickening air and the approach of "a starless dark" suggest an inevitable, enveloping sense of despair and change. The day becoming "something it's never been before, something for / which I have no name," captures the ineffable, ever-changing nature of life and the profound impact of small, unnoticed moments.

In "How to Get There," Levine masterfully intertwines detailed observation with deep emotional resonance, offering a vivid snapshot of urban life and its inherent struggles. The poem's precise imagery and reflective tone invite readers to engage with the complexities of human existence, urging empathy and awareness of the often overlooked, yet profoundly significant, aspects of everyday life.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...