Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Levine’s poem "Storms" poignantly explores the lingering presence of a loved one who has passed away, blending elements of memory, dream, and the physical world. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, Levine delves into the emotional turmoil that follows the death of someone close, capturing the process of coming to terms with loss and the persistent search for meaning and connection.

The poem opens in the aftermath of a profound personal storm—the death of someone significant. Levine describes the intense emotional reactions that followed the loss: "After the storm of his dying, after the phone calls and letters stopped, after the sudden outbursts of tears, seizures that came on me without warning and left me ashamed." These lines convey the raw, uncontrollable nature of grief, a storm that leaves the speaker in a state of vulnerability and shame.

In a dream, the speaker encounters the deceased, who appears "young and slender again, in leather jacket and jeans." This youthful, vibrant image contrasts with the reality of death, highlighting the timelessness and vitality that memories can preserve. The deceased dismisses his death with a wave and a smile, suggesting that it is "just life" and not something to be overly concerned about. His laughter and gestures of disgust or surrender reflect a complex acceptance of his fate, embodying a sense of peace and inevitability.

The setting of the dream is ambiguous, described as a "second floor apartment somewhere in Brooklyn or Detroit." This indeterminate location, paired with the image of poplars "lashed with rain," creates an atmosphere of both familiarity and disorientation. The storm outside mirrors the internal emotional storm of the speaker, with the wind-bowed trees keening in the background. The deceased, moving like a dancer, slowly sinks to the floor, embodying a graceful resignation.

As the dream progresses, the speaker feels the presence of the deceased slipping away, a moment of profound sadness and acceptance: "All my life I've been waiting for them, those I needed, to come back, and now I could feel him slipping away." This realization is marked by the tactile sensation of the deceased placing one hand in the speaker's, a final gesture of connection and acceptance.

Upon waking, the physical world reflects the dream’s intensity: "the street was black with rain, the sky above the trees a perfect blue, the city still." This juxtaposition of the storm's aftermath and the serene, clear sky symbolizes a moment of clarity and peace following emotional turbulence. The speaker spends the day searching "shop windows, record bins, book stores, even a Greek bakery" for something intangible, a quest for remnants of the deceased's presence or meaning in the mundane.

The poem concludes with the speaker crossing a bridge towards home, an act that symbolizes transition and movement forward. Despite the groaning traffic below and the solidity of the city, the sky remains "expressionless as always," devoid of the comforting sign of a rainbow. This lack of a clear sign of faith or reassurance underscores the ongoing struggle to find closure and meaning after loss.

"Storms" by Philip Levine is a deeply moving reflection on grief, memory, and the search for meaning after the death of a loved one. Through its rich imagery and introspective tone, the poem captures the complexity of mourning and the enduring impact of those who have passed on. The interplay between dream and reality, storm and calm, highlights the persistent presence of the deceased in the speaker's life and the bittersweet process of coming to terms with their absence.

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