Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

In California During the Gulf War -- Denise Levertov

Guest poem sent in by Mark Cummins
(Poem #1184) In California During the Gulf War
 Among the blight-killed eucalypts, among
 trees and bushes rusted by Christmas frosts,
 the yards and hillsides exhausted by five years of drought,

 certain airy white blossoms punctually
 reappeared, and dense clusters of pale pink, dark pink--
 a delicate abundance. They seemed

 like guests arriving joyfully on the accustomed
 festival day, unaware of the year's events, not perceiving
 the sackcloth others were wearing.

 To some of us, the dejected landscape consorted well
 with our shame and bitterness. Skies ever-blue,
 daily sunshine, disgusted us like smile-buttons.

 Yet the blossoms, clinging to thin branches
 more lightly than birds alert for flight,
 lifted the sunken heart

 even against its will.
                       But not
 as symbols of hope: they were flimsy
 as our resistance to the crimes committed

 --again, again--in our name; and yes, they return,
 year after

  year, and yes, they briefly shone with serene joy
 over against the dark glare

 of evil days. They are, and their presence
 is quietness ineffable--and the bombings are, were,
 no doubt will be; that quiet, that huge cacophany

 simultaneous. No promise was being accorded, the blossoms
 were not doves, there was no rainbow. And when it was claimed
 the war had ended, it had not ended.
-- Denise Levertov
           from Evening Train

With news all the news at the moment, I was reminded of this poem by Denise
Levertov.

I first read it as an unseen poem in an exam, and even while I was
frantically trying to scribble something about its technical makeup, the
poem struck me a wonderfully subtle account of war and protest and how the
world carries on in spite of both.  In light of all the talk of war with
Iraq it is once more very topical.

Mark.

[Martin adds]

I cannot help but compare this (favourably, of course) to Andrew Motion's
"Causa Belli" [Poem #1143]. A little subtlety goes a long, long way,
especially in poetry.

For another great poem along the same lines, see Frost's "Range Finding"
[Poem #1036]

30 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

Vidur said...

simply exquisite.

i have always marveled at the pink and white cherry blossoms, and winter
in the bay area winter, appreciating fully what a privilege it is in a
country where most people are buried in snow. and although i enjoy the
blue skies, bright sunshine and beautiful cherry blossoms, and
constantly worry about the war these days, i would never have arrived at
this beautiful metaphor. levertov is truly gifted.

Ideas de negocios said...

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, but I am firmly convinced of this and love to learn more about the subject. If possible, acquire knowledge, would you update your blog with more information? It is very helpful to me

Indian domain names said...

This is a good way of discussing such nice topics with the people..

Real estate degrees said...

Thank you for the valuable information i came across in this post..

Anonymous said...

What's Happening i'm new tο this, I stumbled upоn this I've discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other customers like its aided me. Great job.
Here is my blog post : pikavippis.net

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm undoubtedly enjoying your blog and
look forward to new posts.
Here is my blog :: play free slots

Anonymous said...

My family members all the time say that I am killing my time here at
web, except I know I am getting know-how every day by reading such pleasant content.
Feel free to visit my web-site :: Stock trading programs

Anonymous said...

What's up all, here every person is sharing these know-how, so it's good to read this blog, and I used to go to see this webpage every day.
Look into my blog post :: forex online trading

Anonymous said...

I do not leave a leave a response, but I looked at a few of the remarks here "In California During the Gulf War -- Denise Levertov".
I do have some questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be simply me or does it look like some of these remarks come
across as if they are left by brain dead folks? :-P And,
if you are posting at additional sites, I'd like to keep up with you. Would you list of the complete urls of your shared pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
My webpage - Forex Trading For Dummies

Anonymous said...

Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you're utilizing? I've loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price?
Cheers, I appreciate it!
My homepage ... work from home jobs mn

Anonymous said...

What's up mates, fastidious article and pleasant arguments commented here, I am in fact enjoying by these.
My web site managed forex account

Anonymous said...

There's definately a lot to learn about this subject. I love all of the points you have made.
My weblog : commodity trading books

Anonymous said...

Hey it is a actual cool website

My webpage; trying to conceive tips

Mando said...

furniture jepara
furniture antik jepara
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/11/manfaat-dummy-blog.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/blogging-ala-kartolewo.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/5-alasan-mengapa-blogging-adalah-alat.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/belajar-bisnis-online-pay-per-click.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/3-cara-mudah-untuk-menghasilkan-traffic.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/5-tips-untuk-sukses-dengan-internet.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/cerdik-untuk-mendapatkan-target-lalu.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/blogging-adsense-tips.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/konversi-adsense-its-all-in-keywords.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/best-blog-software.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/alternatif-adsense.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/seo-untuk-adsense.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/adsense-dan-surfer.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/apa-itu-google-adsense.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/siapa-lagi-yang-ingin-membuat-uang.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/menggunakan-orang-lain-untuk.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/3-hal-yang-harus-dilakukan-sebelum-anda.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2013/12/ppc-advertising-maksimum-promosi-web.html
http://kartolewo.blogspot.com/2014/01/pro-blogging-menghasilkan-uang-dari-blog.html
The Kartolewo
kursi tamu jati minimalis
kursi minimalis modern
kursi tamu minimalis

Anonymous said...

My relatives all the time say that I am killing my time here at
net, except I know I am getting knowledge daily by reading thes pleasant articles or reviews.


Feel free to surf to my web site :: AlphaGenix Testosterone

property hunter said...



Grate article, We at Addhunters shifted this service to a level much higher than the broker concept. you can see more details like this article Property for sale Best in lusail


emo said...


شركة بريق متخصصة فى النظافة العامة بجدة تنظيف شقق فلل مكاتب مساجد تنظيف بالبخار بجدة تنظيف مفروشات ستائر مجالس سجاد كنب غسيل الاسطح وتنظيف الخزانات الكشف عن تسريبات المياه رش المبيدات وقتل الحشرات بأفضل الاسعار وأعلى جودة - شركة تنظيف منازل بجدة - شركة غسيل منازل بجدة - شركة تنظيف منازل بالبخار بجدة - شركة ترتيب وتنظيف المنازل بجدة - مكتب تنظيف منازل بجدة - شركة رسمية لتنظيف المنازل بجدة - مؤسسة رسمية لتنظيف المنازل بجدة - مين جربت شركات تنظيف المنازل بجدة - كم أسعار شركات تنظيف المنازل بجدة - أسعار شركات تنظيف المنازل بجدة - شركة تنظيف منازل بجده - تنظيف البيوت بجدة - شركة تنظيف كنب بجدة - شركة تنظيف بخار بجدة - شركة تنظيف فلل بجدة - شركة تنظيف شقق بجدة - شركة نظافة في جدة - شركة نقل عفش بجدة - ارخص شركه تنظيف بجده - شركه تنظيف بالبخار بجدة - تنظيف المسابح والخزانات - شركة تنظيف مجالس بجدة - شركة تنظيف مفروشات بالبخار بجدة - تنظيف الاسطح والارضيات - رش المبيدات ومكافحة الحشرات - عزل الأسطح والخزانات - نظافة شقق المغتربين والمقيمين - تنظيف الاستراحات تنظيف الخيام

Unknown said...

Selamat datang bersama layanan terbaik dari situs Resmi Terbesar Asia Saat Ini Agen Fafaslot

Post a Comment