Philip Levine Quotes

A collection of quotes by Philip Levine.

Philip Levine was an American poet born on January 10, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a working-class family and his experiences in the industrial city greatly influenced his writing. Levine held various jobs, including working in car factories and Detroit's public library, before studying at Wayne University (now Wayne State University). After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Levine graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950.

Throughout his career, Levine published numerous collections of poetry, including "On the Edge," "Not This Pig," and "What Work Is," which won the National Book Award in 1991. His poems often explore themes of labor, social injustice, and the often overlooked lives of working-class people. Levine's writing style is known for its simplicity, clarity, and profound lyricism.

In addition to receiving the National Book Award, Levine was honored with numerous awards and accolades, including two Guggenheim Fellowships and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1995 for his collection "The Simple Truth." He served as a poetry professor at California State University, Fresno, for more than three decades, mentoring and inspiring many young writers.

Philip Levine passed away on February 14, 2015, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetry that continues to resonate with readers around the world.

My mother carried on and supported us her ambition had been

My mother carried on and supported us her ambition had been to write poetry and songs.

Philip Levine

Poetry

I realized poetry's the thing that I can do 'cause I can sti

I realized poetry's the thing that I can do 'cause I can stick at it and work with tremendous intensity.

Philip Levine

Poetry

Now I think poetry will save nothing from oblivion, but I ke

Now I think poetry will save nothing from oblivion, but I keep writing about the ordinary because for me it's the home of the extraordinary, the only home.

Philip Levine

Poetry

There'll always be working people in my poems because I grew

There'll always be working people in my poems because I grew up with them, and I am a poet of memory.

Philip Levine

Poetry

The irony is, going to work every day became the subject of

The irony is, going to work every day became the subject of probably my best poetry.

Philip Levine

Poetry

Meet some people who care about poetry the way you do. You'l

Meet some people who care about poetry the way you do. You'll have that readership. Keep going until you know you're doing work that's worthy. And then see what happens. That's my advice.

Philip Levine

Poetry