Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Pleasures" beautifully captures the joy of discovery and the appreciation of hidden wonders within ordinary things. Through her careful and vivid imagery, Levertov explores the theme of finding unexpected beauty and complexity in nature, celebrating the small, often overlooked details that bring delight.

The poem opens with a declaration of the speaker's preference for discoveries that are not immediately apparent: "I like to find / what's not found / at once, but lies / within something of another nature." This sets the stage for a meditation on the pleasures of uncovering hidden treasures that require attention and patience to appreciate fully. The idea of something lying "in repose, distinct" suggests a quiet, inherent beauty waiting to be revealed.

Levertov's imagery of "Gull feathers of glass, hidden / in white pulp" and "the bones of squid" pulled out and laid "blade by blade on the draining board" evokes a sense of delicate, almost scientific examination. These lines suggest a meticulous process of uncovering and understanding, where even the most fragile and intricate details are carefully observed and appreciated. The squid bones, "tapered as if for swiftness, to pierce / the heart, but fragile, substance / belying design," highlight the contrast between the intended purpose and the actual nature of things, emphasizing the theme of hidden complexity.

The poem continues with the description of a fruit, the mamey: "cased in rough brown peel, the flesh / rose-amber, and the seed: / the seed a stone of wood, carved and / polished, walnut-colored, formed / like a brazilnut, but large, / large enough to fill / the hungry palm of a hand." Here, Levertov revels in the layers of the fruit, each with its own distinct texture and beauty. The rough peel hides the vibrant, colorful flesh, and within that lies the seed, a work of natural art. The seed's description as "large enough to fill / the hungry palm of a hand" suggests both a physical and metaphorical nourishment, satisfying a deeper yearning for discovery.

Levertov shifts to the imagery of a "juicy stem of grass that grows / within the coarser leaf folded round," symbolizing the hidden vitality and tenderness within a protective outer layer. This image reinforces the theme of finding softness and sustenance within something seemingly ordinary or rough. The "butteryellow glow / in the narrow flute from which the morning-glory / opens blue and cool on a hot morning" encapsulates the beauty of subtle transformations and the simple pleasures that come from nature’s cycles. The morning-glory’s emergence is a delicate, transient moment that brings refreshment and a sense of renewal.

"Pleasures" by Denise Levertov is a celebration of the small, often unnoticed details that reveal the hidden beauty and complexity of the natural world. Through her evocative and precise language, Levertov invites readers to take a closer look at the ordinary and find joy in the process of discovery. The poem emphasizes the richness of life’s subtleties and encourages an appreciation for the intricate wonders that lie beneath the surface of everyday experiences.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...