of Detroit, Philip [Levine] would go outside after dinner and compose poetry in his head. He worked in car factories such as Detroit Transmission and Chevrolet Gear and Axle, composing as he worked. He has said, "What I found was a voice within myself that I didn't know was there."
In his 20s, he began an academic career that took him to the two most prestigious literature programs in the country, Iowa and Stanford, and on to a career that has included more than 20 books of poems, as well as books of criticism and personal essays.
Perhaps the most enduring quality of Levine's poetry is its vivid picture of the working life.
from John Timpane: The Philadelphia Inquirer: Tough yet tender poet Philip Levine is new U.S. laureate
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