The Poetic Weight of Work

This chapter explores the profound impact of Philip Levine's poem 'What Work Is' on the speaker's understanding of labor and emotional expression. Through personal reflections and a reading of the poem, the speaker delves into themes of working-class love, the complexities of waiting, and the significance of art in capturing the nuances of everyday struggles. The discussion highlights how poetry serves as a vital means to articulate the often unspoken emotions tied to work and personal relationships.