| |
"But for us the road
unfurls itself, we count the
words in our pockets, we wonder
how it will be without them, we don't
stop walking, we know
there is far to go...."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "September 1961." |
"some petals fall
with that sound one
listens for...."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "The Tulips." |
"The blood we give the dead to drink
is deeds we do at the will of the dead spirits in us,
not our own live will."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "Didactic Poem." |
"a painful privacy
learning to live without words.
E.P. "It looks like dying"MWilliams: "I can't
describe to you what has been
happening to me"—
H.D. "unable to speak.""
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "September 1961." |
"Supererogatory divinations one is
lured on by!
The routine
is decent. As if the white page
were a clean tablecloth ..."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "The Unknown." |
"Refuse them!
If we too miss out, don't create our lives,
invent or deeds, do them, dance
a tune with our own feet,
we shall thirst in Hades,
in the blood of our children."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "Didactic Poem." |
"We have the words in our pockets,
obscure directions. The old ones
have taken away the light of their presence...."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "September 1961." |
"and if the day
is no day for miracles, then the preparations
are an order one may rest in.
But one doesn't want
rest, one wants miracles."
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "The Unknown." |
"there is more blood than
sweet juice
always more blood—mister
death goes indoors
exhausted"
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "During the Eichmann Trial." |
"'It's alright—there are many
avenues, many corridors of the soul
that are dark also.
Shalom.'"
Denise Levertov (b. 1923), Anglo-U.S. poet. "Shalom." |
| |
Free
Poetry E-Book: