Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Wedding-Ring" poignantly explores the aftermath of a dissolved marriage through the symbolism of a wedding ring that lies unused and forgotten. The poem captures the complexity of emotions surrounding a once-cherished symbol of union that now resides in a state of limbo.

The poem opens with the image of the wedding ring lying "in a basket / as if at the bottom of a well." This metaphor evokes a sense of depth, obscurity, and abandonment, emphasizing the finality and inaccessibility of the past relationship. The well suggests something profound and unreachable, reflecting the speaker's emotional detachment from the marriage that the ring symbolizes.

Levertov continues to describe the ring’s surroundings: "among keys to abandoned houses, / nails waiting to be needed and hammered / into some wall, / telephone numbers with no names attached, / idle paperclips." These objects, all associated with disuse and abandonment, amplify the sense of loss and purposelessness. The keys and nails suggest closure and potential that remains unfulfilled, while the nameless telephone numbers and idle paperclips imply disconnection and triviality.

The speaker reflects on the ring's potential fate: "It can’t be given away / for fear of bringing ill-luck / It can’t be sold / for the marriage was good in its own / time, though that time is gone." This acknowledgment of the marriage's past goodness, juxtaposed with its current irrelevance, reveals the speaker's mixed emotions. The fear of ill-luck and the inability to sell the ring underscore the lingering attachment and respect for what the marriage once represented.

Levertov then contemplates a possible transformation: "Could some artificer / beat into it bright stones, transform it / into a dazzling circlet no one could take / for solemn betrothal or to make promises / living will not let them keep?" This desire for transformation reflects a longing to repurpose the ring into something beautiful and meaningful, free from the weight of broken promises and failed commitments. The speaker wishes to change the ring into "a simple gift I could give in friendship," indicating a hope for renewal and the creation of new, platonic bonds from the remnants of the past.

In "Wedding-Ring," Denise Levertov masterfully uses the symbol of the wedding ring to convey the intricate emotions tied to the end of a marriage. Through vivid imagery and reflective musings, the poem captures the pain of loss, the respect for past love, and the desire for transformation and new beginnings. The poem resonates with anyone who has experienced the end of a significant relationship, offering a contemplative look at how we deal with the symbols of our past and seek to find new meanings in them.

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