Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "The Reply" is a profound meditation on loss, memory, and the lingering presence of a past relationship. Through evocative imagery and a reflective tone, the poem captures the complex emotions that arise when confronting the aftermath of a significant connection that has dissolved.

The poem opens with the speaker standing in the late sun, a time of day that symbolizes both the end of something and the persistence of light before darkness. The speaker reflects on a time when they were one with another person, before an action transformed their relationship into something more consequential than it should have been. This suggests a pivotal moment or decision that irrevocably changed their bond, imbuing it with a weight that it was not meant to carry.

The imagery of "the earth, the darkened tree / Of winter, and the sky / Motionless and thin" sets a stark, desolate scene that mirrors the speaker's internal state. These natural elements shudder with the reply of the other person, emphasizing the profound impact of their response, which is characterized by "The emptiness within." This line captures the void left by the end of the relationship, a hollow space that reverberates with the absence of what once was.

The speaker's response to this emptiness is one of solitary endurance. They describe doing the best they could in their isolation, despising the other person while digging through the silent wood for sustenance. The "root and muscle weed" they seek symbolize the small, resilient things that can be found even in the most barren of environments. Their "hunger and greed" thrive on these meager offerings, highlighting a survivalist instinct that persists despite the lack of nourishment.

The poem's turning point comes as light fails, and the speaker absorbs a "heaviness of air." This shift into darkness signifies a deeper immersion into introspection and the acceptance of the pervasive presence of the past. The line "Nothing can disturb / Your coming everywhere" conveys the inevitability of the other person's memory intruding into every aspect of the speaker's life. This presence "takes what it denies," suggesting a paradox where the memory both fills and empties the speaker, offering a ghostly companionship that is simultaneously comforting and haunting.

The closing lines of the poem bring a sense of reconciliation and surrender. The speaker acknowledges that the other's eyes, within their own, return at last, symbolizing an inescapable connection that transcends physical separation. This reunion is framed as a surrender to the "hand / Which bears eternity / To the last command," indicating a final acceptance of the enduring impact of the relationship. The phrase "the last command" evokes a sense of finality and submission to a higher, perhaps inevitable, order.

Levine's "The Reply" is a beautifully crafted exploration of the lingering effects of a lost connection. Through its vivid imagery and contemplative narrative, the poem delves into the complexities of memory, the persistence of the past, and the ways in which we carry our experiences within us. The speaker's journey from anger and isolation to acceptance and introspection is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the enduring power of love and loss.

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