Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Too Easy: To Write of Miracles" delves into the challenges of writing about reality versus the allure of writing about the fantastical or the dramatic. Through evocative language and rich imagery, Levertov contrasts the ease of embellishment with the difficulty of capturing the essence of ordinary, yet profound, human experiences.

The poem opens with the assertion that it is "too easy: to write of miracles, dreams where the famous give mysterious utterance to silent truth." This line critiques the temptation to resort to grandiose themes and mystical revelations, which, though compelling, can overshadow the more mundane but equally significant aspects of life. The mention of confusing "snow with the stars" and simulating "a star's fantastic wisdom" emphasizes the allure of creating illusions and lofty interpretations that may not be grounded in reality.

Levertov continues to explore this ease of embellishment: "Easy like the willow to lament, rant in trampled roads where pools are red with sorrowful fires." Here, the imagery of the willow lamenting and the dramatic scene of "sorrowful fires" on trampled roads highlight the tendency to romanticize pain and suffering. The use of "ornamental leaves" and the portrayal of rain as "sullen" add to the theatrical quality of these emotions.

In stark contrast, the poem then shifts to the difficulty of capturing real moments: "But difficult when, innocent and cold, day, a bird over a hill, flies in." This imagery of a simple, natural scene—day arriving like a bird flying over a hill—suggests the challenge of finding beauty and meaning in the ordinary. The transformation of "resolving anguish to a strange perspective, a scene within a marble" underscores the complexity of perceiving everyday life with fresh eyes, where even ordinary moments can be seen as art.

Levertov emphasizes the effort required to write about the "real image, real hand, the heart of day or autumn beating steadily." This involves describing simple yet profound human gestures and the context of daily life: "the hour, the shadow, the fire, the loaf on a bare table." The poem suggests that it is much harder to weigh words against the honest reality of these moments and to find a balance that resonates with love and truth.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the ultimate goal of writing: "to discover what measure has its music, and achieve the unhaunted country of the final poem." This line suggests a quest for authenticity and clarity, a desire to create poetry that is free from the ghosts of over-dramatization and ungrounded embellishment. The "unhaunted country" symbolizes a place of genuine expression, where words are weighed carefully and resonate with the true essence of human experience.

In summary, "Too Easy: To Write of Miracles" by Denise Levertov critiques the tendency to embellish and dramatize in writing, contrasting it with the more challenging but rewarding task of capturing the reality of everyday moments. Through rich imagery and thoughtful reflection, Levertov highlights the importance of authenticity in poetry and the effort required to achieve it. The poem invites readers to appreciate the profound beauty and significance of ordinary human experiences, urging a deeper, more honest approach to writing and perception.

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