Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

ANIMALS ARE PASSING FROM OUR LIVES, by PHILIP LEVINE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Animals Are Passing from Our Lives" is a poem by Philip Levine that was first published in his 1979 collection "Ashes: Poems New and Old." The poem explores the theme of mortality and the loss of connection with the natural world. It also highlights the impact of industrialization on the environment and the animal kingdom.

Explanation:

The poem is composed of five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. In the first stanza, the speaker observes that animals are disappearing from the world and that he cannot bear the thought of living in a world without them. He notes that the animals seem to have a wisdom and dignity that humans lack.

In the second stanza, the speaker recounts a childhood memory of encountering a rabbit and feeling a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world. He reflects on how such experiences are becoming increasingly rare in modern society.

The third stanza describes the impact of industrialization on the environment, with factories polluting the air and water and cities spreading out and encroaching on the natural world. The speaker laments that humans seem to have forgotten their connection to the earth and its creatures.

The fourth stanza explores the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. The speaker notes that all living things must die, but that the animals seem to accept this fact with a stoic grace that humans lack.

In the final stanza, the speaker expresses his desire to connect with the natural world and its creatures before it is too late. He concludes by asserting that the animals are not separate from us, but rather a part of us, and that we must learn to live in harmony with them if we are to survive.

Poetic Elements:

Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter.
Imagery: The poem contains vivid descriptions of the natural world and the impact of industrialization on it.
Symbolism: The animals in the poem symbolize the natural world and our connection to it.
Repetition: The phrase "animals are passing" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the theme of loss.

Conclusion:

"Animals Are Passing from Our Lives" is a powerful meditation on the impact of industrialization and the loss of connection with the natural world. Through vivid imagery and skillful use of language, Levine captures the sense of loss and longing that many people feel in the modern world. The poem is a call to action, urging us to reconnect with the natural world and to recognize our place in it before it is too late.

Poem Snippet:

"Animals are passing from our lives.

It seems so long since we watched for the

morning paper being delivered

with great solemnity by the black cat."