Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "In the Dark" is a contemplative poem that intertwines themes of love, memory, and the passage of time with philosophical and religious reflections. The poem creates a mood of introspection and intimacy, using the setting of a summer evening by the river to explore deeper meanings and connections.

The poem opens with a serene image: "In the last light of a summer day facing the Canadian shore / we watched from the island as night sifted into the river, / blackening the still surface." The transition from day to night sets a tranquil yet reflective tone, as the gradual darkening of the river mirrors the speaker's introspective journey. The description of an ore boat passing "soundlessly / trailing a tiny wake that folded in upon itself with a sigh" captures the quiet and subtle movements of the evening, evoking a sense of stillness and contemplation. The ambiguity of the sigh—whether it belongs to the boat, the speaker, or his companion—highlights the blending of external and internal experiences.

The poem delves into the complexities of communication and perception in the dark: "In the darkness it’s hard / to tell who is listening and who is speaking." This line sets up the exploration of deeper, often hidden, connections between individuals. The mention of St. Augustine and his views on making love in the dark introduces a philosophical and religious dimension. Augustine's claim that love-making in the dark is due to shame contrasts with the speaker's more nuanced understanding of intimacy as a form of connection that transcends visibility.

The reference to the speaker's cat, Nellie, watching his wife and him "at love" adds a touch of domesticity and humor. Nellie's lack of judgment and her preference for a happy household contrast with the more solemn reflections on God and prayer. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the profound enriches the poem, grounding its philosophical musings in everyday life.

The poem further explores the theme of giving and receiving, invoking a biblical reference: "God loves a happy giver." This idea, read in a chapel, suggests a form of giving that is joyful and fulfilling. However, the speaker questions St. Augustine's understanding, implying that true giving and receiving are complex and not easily categorized, especially in the darkness where roles and intentions can blur.

The speaker's recollection of watching from the island and considering love-making as a form of prayer deepens the poem's introspective tone: "I thought that making love was a form of prayer. / You got down on your knees, if you were a boy, and prepared / yourself for whatever the future held in store." This metaphor equates physical intimacy with spiritual devotion, suggesting that both acts involve vulnerability, anticipation, and a search for connection.

The poem's closing lines bring the reflection full circle, as the speaker acknowledges the mystery of the future and the importance of another's presence: "Millie sighs, the ore boat passes silently / to disappear into a future that’s still mysterious, I take a breath, / the deepest breath of my life, and knowing the generations of stars / are watching from above, I go down on my knees in prayer." The act of going down on his knees signifies both a literal and metaphorical submission to the unknown, acknowledging the vastness of time and space and the intimate moments that give life meaning.

"In the Dark" is a rich and layered poem that uses the setting of a summer evening and the metaphor of darkness to explore themes of love, memory, and the search for meaning. Levine's blend of personal reflection, philosophical inquiry, and religious imagery creates a deeply introspective and resonant piece that invites readers to contemplate their own experiences of intimacy and connection in the face of life's uncertainties.

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