"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's quote assesses the fundamental stress between the ephemeral nature of human life and the long-lasting power of poetry. At the start, Levine acknowledges a specific hesitation about poetry's capability to rescue minutes from oblivion, suggesting an understanding that all human ventures, consisting of art, are ultimately subject to the passage of time. This acknowledgment imbues his words with a sense of humility and realism concerning the limitations of artistic expression.

Yet, in spite of this acknowledgment, Levine indicates a steadfast dedication to composing, especially concentrating on the "common". This term likely describes daily experiences and common aspects of human life-- those elements that are typically overlooked or considered mundane. By stressing the common, Levine elevates it to the status of the remarkable, suggesting that within the simplicity and familiarity of every day life lies extensive beauty and significance. This viewpoint encourages readers to re-evaluate their own experiences, recommending that the extraordinary is not discovered in grandiose or rare incidents however in the little, frequently undetected details of everyday life.

Levine's recommendation to the common as "the home of the extraordinary" carries a deeply personal connotation, as making use of "home" implies convenience, belonging, and identity. Discussing the normal becomes a means through which Levine connects with deeper truths and universal human experiences. In this method, poetry functions as an automobile for transformation, taking what may otherwise seem unimportant and rendering it significant and significant.

In general, the quote reflects Levine's creative viewpoint, verifying that while poetry might not conquer oblivion, it has a special capacity to record the profound within the mundane. Through this lens, writing becomes both an act of discovery and preservation, using a semblance of permanence to short lived moments.