Picking Grape in an Abandoned Vineyard

Larry Levis's "Picking Grapes in an Abandoned Vineyard" is a powerful poem that blends personal memory with broader reflections on labor, loss, and the passage of time.

The poem's vivid imagery of an abandoned vineyard evokes a sense of desolation and decay, mirroring the speaker's emotional state.

Levis masterfully interweaves personal anecdotes with observations about the migrant workers who once toiled in the vineyard, creating a poignant portrait of human resilience and suffering.

The poem's cyclical structure, moving from the present act of picking grapes to memories of the past, emphasizes the enduring impact of these experiences.

Ultimately, the poem serves as a meditation on mortality and the search for meaning in the face of loss.