Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s poem "Making Peace" is a profound meditation on the necessity of reimagining and constructing peace as an active, dynamic process. Through her nuanced use of language and metaphor, Levertov invites readers to consider peace not merely as the absence of war but as a presence that requires deliberate creation and articulation.

The poem opens with an evocative call to action: "A voice from the dark called out, / 'The poets must give us / imagination of peace, to oust the intense, familiar / imagination of disaster.'" This plea highlights the power of the poet's imagination and language in shaping perceptions and realities. It underscores the importance of envisioning peace as vividly and compellingly as the often all-consuming imagery of disaster and conflict.

Levertov quickly establishes that peace is a process that must be made and cannot simply be anticipated: "But peace, like a poem, / is not there ahead of itself, / can’t be imagined before it is made, / can’t be known except / in the words of its making." By comparing peace to a poem, Levertov emphasizes that peace is a creative act, one that emerges through deliberate and mindful construction. It is something that must be crafted with intention, much like a poem takes shape through the careful choice and arrangement of words.

The poem continues by elaborating on this metaphor: "grammar of justice, / syntax of mutual aid." Here, Levertov suggests that the language of peace is structured around principles of justice and mutual support. Just as grammar and syntax provide the framework for coherent speech, these principles provide the foundation for a lasting and meaningful peace. This implies that achieving peace involves not just stopping conflict but also building systems and relationships based on fairness and cooperation.

Levertov describes the nascent feeling of peace as "a feeling towards it, / dimly sensing a rhythm," indicating that peace begins as an intuitive sense that gradually becomes clearer as we engage with it. This initial, vague sense must be articulated through "utter[ing] its metaphors, / learning them as we speak." This process of learning and speaking suggests that understanding and achieving peace is iterative and continuous, requiring constant effort and refinement.

The poem then proposes a transformative approach to achieving peace: "A line of peace might appear / if we restructured the sentence our lives are making, / revoked its reaffirmation of profit and power, / questioned our needs, allowed / long pauses . . ." This metaphor of restructuring the sentence of our lives implies that achieving peace necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of our priorities and values. It calls for a shift away from a focus on profit and power towards a more reflective and considered approach to life. The idea of "long pauses" suggests the importance of taking time to reflect and reconsider, rather than rushing forward driven by the same old imperatives.

Levertov envisions peace as "a presence, / an energy field more intense than war," which "might pulse then, / stanza by stanza into the world." This powerful image presents peace as a dynamic and potent force, not merely a passive state. The comparison to stanzas of a poem reinforces the idea that peace is created through a series of deliberate, meaningful acts, each contributing to the larger whole.

The final lines of the poem underscore the holistic nature of this process: "each act of living / one of its words, each word / a vibration of light—facets / of the forming crystal." Here, Levertov beautifully encapsulates the idea that every action we take, every word we speak, contributes to the creation of peace. The metaphor of a crystal suggests something multifaceted and growing, with each facet reflecting and contributing to the overall beauty and integrity of the whole.

In "Making Peace," Denise Levertov eloquently argues that peace must be actively created through our actions, words, and fundamental rethinking of societal values. By comparing peace to the process of writing a poem, she emphasizes that it is an ongoing, creative endeavor that requires intentionality and dedication. The poem serves as both a call to action and a guide for how to begin this vital work, reminding us that peace, like poetry, is made through deliberate, thoughtful effort and the constant striving for justice and mutual aid.

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