Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine's "Commanding Elephants" is a reflective and intimate portrayal of a man named Lonnie, whose life and identity are deeply tied to his work and the routines that have defined him. Through vivid imagery and poignant details, Levine captures the sense of loss and change that comes with the passage of time and the decline of physical abilities.

The poem begins with Lonnie's declaration, "I'm the chief of the elephants, I call the tunes and they dance." This statement sets the tone for the poem, presenting Lonnie as a figure of authority and control within his own domain. The metaphor of elephants, with their slow, deliberate movements, evokes the heavy machinery he once commanded, underscoring the power and responsibility he wielded in his working life.

From his bed, Lonnie hears the familiar sounds of the city—the "drum of hooves in the bricked alley" and the "blast of the Sheenie calling for rags, wood, paper, glass." These sounds serve as his makeshift clock, a means of telling time and maintaining a connection to the world outside. The listing of discarded materials—"all that was left over"—reflects a sense of dispossession and the remnants of a once-active life now reduced to memories and routine sounds.

Levine's attention to detail paints a vivid picture of Lonnie's current state. The clean work pants on the chair, the ironed work shirt with his name on the door, and the high-top lace-up boots in the bathroom represent the remnants of his past identity as a foreman. These items, once symbols of his role and dignity, now lie unused, signifying his physical limitations and the shift in his daily life.

The poem contrasts Lonnie's past with his present. The image of him being "asleep hours after dawn," with a daughter in school and a wife working in the same shop where he was once the foreman, highlights the changes in his life. The mention of his role in the factory—"where he'd tripped the columns of switches and brought the slow elephant feet of the presses sliding down in grooves"—serves as a testament to his past skills and the significance of his work. The phrase "as they must still do effortlessly for someone" adds a layer of melancholy, acknowledging that the work continues without him.

Lonnie's introspection is captured in the line, "Oh my body, what have you done to me?" though it is noted that he never actually says this aloud. This internal lament reflects his struggle with the betrayal of his own body, which no longer allows him to fulfill the roles that once defined him. His hands, now smelling of soap and lying passively at his sides, symbolize his enforced idleness and the loss of the active, purposeful life he once led.

"Commanding Elephants" by Philip Levine is a poignant meditation on aging, loss, and the enduring connection between identity and work. Through rich imagery and detailed characterization, Levine conveys the deep sense of displacement and reflection experienced by Lonnie, offering readers a moving exploration of the human condition and the passage of time.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...