Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Coming Home, Detroit, 1968" is a poem written by Philip Levine in 1991. The poem talks about the 1967 riots that happened in Detroit and the impact it had on the city, its people, and the poet himself.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker returning to Detroit, his hometown, after the riots had occurred. He talks about the destruction and how it has affected the city. The buildings are burnt and destroyed, the streets are empty, and the once-thriving neighborhoods are now filled with silence.

The speaker then goes on to talk about the people of Detroit, who are still trying to cope with the aftermath of the riots. He mentions the fear and the anger that people feel and how they are trying to come to terms with what has happened. He also talks about the resilience of the people and how they are determined to rebuild their city.

The poem then takes a personal turn, as the speaker reflects on his own experiences growing up in Detroit. He talks about the pride he felt in being from Detroit and how it shaped him as a person. He also talks about the changes he has seen in the city and how it has affected him.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no fixed rhyme scheme. This reflects the chaos and unpredictability of the riots and the aftermath.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the destruction of the city and the emotions of its people.
• Repetition: The phrase "coming home" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's connection to Detroit and the importance of the city to him.

Conclusion:

"Coming Home, Detroit, 1968" is a powerful poem that reflects on the impact of the 1967 riots on the city of Detroit and its people. The poem captures the fear, anger, and resilience of the people, while also reflecting on the speaker's personal connection to the city. The use of vivid imagery and repetition helps to create a sense of the devastation and chaos caused by the riots, and the importance of rebuilding and moving forward.

Poem Snippet:

"Coming home to Detroit after the riots

had torn the city apart, I saw

burned-out buildings, streets deserted,

and felt for a moment what the others felt."

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