Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Daughter (1)" delves into the complex emotions of a daughter dealing with the impending loss of her mother. The poem poignantly captures the tension between duty and the desire to escape, highlighting the daughter's internal conflict and her deep-seated need for her mother's strength and guidance, even as she steps into the role of caretaker.

The poem begins with the daughter's visit to her mother's house, a place described as both familiar and alien. This dichotomy sets the tone for the daughter's mixed feelings: "part of her wanted only to leave" while another part ached for her mother's pain. The language here is raw and colloquial—"I gotta get outta here"—reflecting the urgency and intensity of her emotions. This visceral reaction underscores the discomfort and emotional turmoil she feels in this space that has become a place of suffering and impending loss.

Her one solace during the visit is tending to her mother's garden, a "Welsh oasis" that represents a continuity of care and a connection to her mother’s past and roots. The act of watering the garden becomes a symbolic gesture, linking her to her mother's younger, more vibrant days. This garden, once "adobe rubble," now stands as a testament to her mother's nurturing spirit and resilience. The daughter's happiness in this act contrasts with her broader feelings of helplessness and grief.

The poem shifts to the daughter's reflections on her mother's current state: "mother is child, helpless; her mind is clear, her spirit proud, she can even laugh—but half-blind, half-deaf, and struck down in body." This reversal of roles—where the mother has become childlike and dependent—is a source of deep pain and horror for the daughter. She feels "metamorphosed" into a "looming figure" of care, yet she is filled with "iron and ice-love," indicating a love that is painful and constrained.

The daughter’s yearning for her mother's past strength and reassurance is palpable: "another, hidden part of her longed—or longs—for her mother to be her mother again." This longing underscores the daughter's struggle to reconcile her current role with her memories of her mother as a source of comfort and stability. The ritual song that once "did magic to take away hurt" is now a distant memory, as the daughter faces the stark reality of her mother's frailty.

As the daughter navigates her duties, both at her mother's side and in her own life, she grapples with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. The image of her as a "monstrous, tall, swift-moving nurse" reflects her sense of being overwhelmed by her responsibilities and her inability to provide the comfort she desperately wants to offer. The poem captures her isolation and exhaustion, as she "withdraws into lonely distance" during her travels.

In her Boston yard, the daughter’s thoughts drift to her mother’s past, weaving a tapestry of memories that span a lifetime. The "storied screen unfolding" symbolizes the rich narrative of her mother's life, a life "unique in the aeons." Despite her mother's blessing to "Go, child," the daughter's desire for reassurance remains unfulfilled, amplifying her sense of loss and longing.

The poem concludes with the daughter’s deep fatigue and emotional turmoil: "Something within her twists and turns, she is tired and ashamed. She sobs, but her eyes cannot make tears." Her imagined retreat to a dark cathedral, where she could sleep undisturbed for years, reflects a yearning for escape from the relentless pain and responsibility.

"Daughter (1)" is a powerful exploration of the daughter’s emotional landscape as she navigates the complex realities of caring for a dying parent. Levertov's rich imagery and poignant language convey the depth of the daughter's love, guilt, and longing, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and heartaches inherent in this deeply human experience.

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