Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's poem "Salt and Oil" delves into the fleeting moments of daily life, capturing the essence of three young men in work clothes and their brief, transient presence in the world. Through meticulous imagery and poignant reflection, Levine explores themes of memory, labor, and the ephemeral nature of existence.

The poem opens with a scene of three young men in dirty work clothes, either on their way home or to a bar, in the late morning. This snapshot of life is described as "not a photograph, it is a moment / in the daily life of the world," emphasizing its transient nature. Levine suggests that such moments will fade into the unwritten biography of any city unless they are preserved in our memories: "frozen in the fine print / of our eyes."

As the speaker turns away to read the morning paper and walks through the city streets, he experiences a sense of detachment from the moment he just witnessed. The passage of time is almost suspended as he interacts with an old woman selling apples: "I buy / an apple but do not eat it. / The old woman who sells it remarks / on its texture and tartness, she / laughs and the veins of her cheeks brown." This interaction serves as a brief anchor to the present, yet the memory of the three young men begins to fade.

Levine's focus shifts back to the young men, who are losing their distinct identities: "Meanwhile the three / begin to fade, giving up / their names and voices, their auras / of smoke and grease, their acrid bouquets." To preserve them, the speaker decides to name them, starting with Salt: "We shall name him Salt, the tall blond / whose wrists hurt, who is holding back / something, curses or tears, and shaking / out the exhaustion." Salt embodies a sense of weariness and struggle, his physical and emotional pain subtly conveyed through his description.

The poem then introduces Oil, a character who exists in the interstices of time: "Oil broods in the tiny crevices / between then and now, Oil survives / in the locked archives of the clock." Oil is described as more carefree and open, willing to embrace whatever comes his way: "there is nothing / he will not take." This dichotomy between Salt and Oil underscores the complexity and diversity of human experience, even among those who share similar external circumstances.

Levine’s imagery deepens the narrative, blending the ordinary with the profound: "These two are not / brothers, the one tall and solemn, / the long Slavic nose, the pale eyes, / the puffed mouth offended by the press / of traffic, while the twin is glad / to be with us on this late morning / in paradise." The interplay between Salt's solemnity and Oil's jovial nature creates a rich, dynamic portrayal of their characters.

As the poem progresses, the fleeting nature of these moments becomes more apparent: "For a moment / the energy that makes them who / they are shatters the noon’s light / into our eyes, and when we see / again they are gone and the street / is quiet." The sudden disappearance of Salt and Oil into the everyday fabric of the city highlights the transience of life and the ephemeral nature of such encounters.

In the closing lines, Levine reflects on the absence of a third man, which serves as a reminder of the incomplete and selective nature of memory: "There is no / photograph, no mystery, / only Salt and Oil / in the daily round of the world." The poem ends with a return to the initial scene, emphasizing the cyclical and continuous flow of daily life: "three young men in dirty work clothes / on their way under a halo / of torn clouds and famished city birds."

"Salt and Oil" by Philip Levine captures the essence of fleeting moments and the inherent beauty found within the mundane. Through his evocative language and deep reflection, Levine invites readers to consider the transient nature of life and the importance of cherishing the small, everyday experiences that shape our existence. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the human condition, framed by the passage of time and the ephemeral quality of memory.

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