Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Candles in Babylon" is a powerful poem that juxtaposes images of terror and hope, capturing a midnight escape through the oppressive streets of Babylon. Through stark and evocative imagery, Levertov explores themes of resistance, vigilance, and the yearning for a return to peace and normalcy.

The poem begins with the setting: "Through the midnight streets of Babylon / between the steel towers of their arsenals, / between the torture castles with no windows." Babylon, historically a symbol of opulence and tyranny, serves as a metaphor for a place of immense power and cruelty. The "midnight streets" suggest a time of darkness and danger, while the "steel towers of their arsenals" and "torture castles with no windows" evoke images of militarization and inhumane treatment, emphasizing the oppressive atmosphere.

Despite the foreboding environment, the poem introduces a sense of urgency and defiance: "we race by barefoot, holding tight / our candles, trying to shield / the shivering flames." The act of running barefoot indicates vulnerability and haste, while holding candles symbolizes a fragile but persistent hope. The "shivering flames" of the candles represent the delicate nature of this hope, threatened by the surrounding darkness and oppression.

The cry of "Sleepers Awake!" is both a plea and a command, urging those who are unaware or indifferent to the atrocities around them to become conscious and active. This cry reflects a deep desire for awakening and action against the terror that pervades their environment.

The poem ends on a note of tentative optimism: "hoping / the rhyme's promise was true, / that we may return / from this place of terror / home to a calm dawn and / the work we had just begun." The "rhyme's promise" suggests a belief in the possibility of change and redemption, that the efforts of those holding the candles will lead to a return to safety and the continuation of meaningful work. The mention of "a calm dawn" contrasts with the current terror, symbolizing a new beginning and the restoration of peace.

"Candles in Babylon" by Denise Levertov masterfully captures the tension between despair and hope, oppression and resistance. The imagery of midnight streets, steel towers, and torture castles paints a vivid picture of a place dominated by fear and control, while the act of carrying candles and crying out for awakening highlights the resilience and determination of those who refuse to be subdued. Through this poignant portrayal, Levertov emphasizes the importance of hope and the collective effort required to overcome darkness and reclaim a sense of purpose and peace.

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