Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Dance Memories" vividly captures the physicality, emotion, and transcendence of dance. Through meticulous descriptions of ballet movements and the dancer's experiences, the poem explores themes of discipline, beauty, and the joy of movement.

The poem opens with the image of a plié, where "the knees bend, a frog flexing to spring." This comparison to a frog highlights the natural, almost primal energy stored in the simple bend of the knees, poised for an explosive release. The metaphor imbues the plié with a sense of readiness and potential, setting the stage for the dynamic movements that follow.

Levertov then describes a grand battement: "the taut leg flails as if to beat chaff from the wheat." This simile emphasizes the force and precision of the movement, likening it to the agricultural process of separating grain from its husk. The imagery conveys both the physical exertion and the purposeful elegance inherent in ballet, where each motion serves a distinct function.

In "attitude," the dancer embodies Hermes, the messenger god known for his swiftness and ambiguity. This stance is "dream-smoothly yet with hidden strain," suggesting a deceptive ease that masks the underlying effort and tension. The subsequent arabesque "traces swan-lines on vision's stone," evoking the grace of a swan and the permanence of these fleeting motions etched in memory. The dancer, unable to see herself, "feels in the bone," underscoring the deep, internalized nature of these movements.

The poem continues with coupé, where "the air is cut out from under the foot," followed by a series of grand jetés and glissades. These descriptions capture the exhilaration and freedom of leaping and gliding through space. The repetition of "grand jeté, glissade, grand jeté, glissade" mirrors the rhythmic, cyclical nature of the dance, emphasizing the fluid transition between leaps and slides.

Levertov highlights the intense physicality of dance: "the joy of leaping, of moving by leaps and bounds, of gliding to leap, and gliding to leap becomes, while it lasts, heart pounding, breath hurting, the deepest, the only joy." This passage encapsulates the euphoria and immersion that dance provides, where the dancer's entire being is consumed by the movement. The "heart pounding" and "breath hurting" reflect the visceral impact of the dance, while the "deepest, the only joy" speaks to the transcendence and fulfillment found in these moments.

In summary, "Dance Memories" by Denise Levertov is a richly detailed exploration of the art and experience of ballet. Through precise imagery and metaphors, Levertov conveys the discipline, beauty, and profound joy that dance brings. The poem invites readers to appreciate the intricate interplay of effort and grace, the physical demands, and the emotional heights of the dancer's journey.

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