Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "Wisteria" is a reflective poem that delves into the themes of memory, longing, and the passage of time. Through evocative imagery and personal narrative, Levine captures the essence of a boyhood infatuation and its lasting impact on the speaker's life.

The poem opens with the image of purple wisteria hanging on a wire outside the breakfast room windows of a neighbor’s house. This vivid memory from the speaker’s boyhood is immediately tied to a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire. The mention of Steve Kasaras and his family provides a concrete setting and context for the speaker's emotions.

The speaker recalls his infatuation with Steve's "tall, skinny daughter," expressing a deep, almost desperate yearning: "I would wait outside the back door, prostrate, begging to be taken in." This image of prostration highlights the intensity of the speaker's youthful desire and vulnerability. However, the speaker questions whether this longing was truly for the girl or if it was simply the intoxicating effect of "the flowers of spring with their sickening perfumes" that had overwhelmed him.

The departure of the Kasaras family marks a significant moment of loss for the speaker. Despite their move West, the speaker continues to experience the same unfulfilled longing "spring after spring," which leaves him "leaden with desire, half asleep, praying to die." This repetition underscores the depth of the speaker's emotional turmoil and the persistent nature of his yearning.

In a poignant realization, the speaker reflects that "those prayers were answered." The boy who experienced such intense longing and desire has metaphorically died, replaced by a more detached, reflective adult. The imagery of the "brick houses deepened and darkened with rain, age, use" suggests a transformation and aging process that parallels the speaker's own journey.

The poem takes a reflective turn as the speaker describes awakening early in an empty house, feeling a sense of emptiness and disconnection. The house, "not lately battered by storms," represents a state of calm and stillness, in stark contrast to the emotional storms of the speaker's past.

The final image of the poem is striking: "On the surface of the rain barrel, the paled, shredded blossoms floated." This image of the wisteria blossoms, now pale and shredded, floating on the rain barrel, symbolizes the remnants of past desires and memories. The blossoms, once vibrant and full of life, are now reduced to fragile remnants, reflecting the passage of time and the inevitable fading of youthful passions.

"Wisteria" is a contemplative poem that captures the bittersweet nature of memory and the enduring impact of past experiences on the present. Levine's use of vivid imagery and personal reflection invites readers to consider their own journeys of longing and transformation, highlighting the universal nature of these themes. The poem poignantly underscores the ways in which our past shapes us, even as we move forward into new phases of life.

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