Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s poem "Matins: 5" captures the sacredness of everyday rituals and the intertwining of mundane actions with deeper currents of thought and dream. Through vivid imagery and a keen sense of the ordinary, Levertov explores the themes of care, presence, and the seamless flow of daily life into the realm of the sacred.

The poem begins with a simple, nurturing act: "Stir the holy grains, set the bowls on the table and call the child to eat." This opening line elevates the act of preparing breakfast to a sacred ritual, emphasizing the holiness inherent in daily sustenance and the care involved in nurturing a child. The use of "holy grains" imbues the mundane with spiritual significance, suggesting that even the most routine tasks can be acts of devotion.

As the family eats, the poem notes, "While we eat we think, as we think an undercurrent of dream runs through us faster than thought towards recognition." This line highlights the presence of subconscious thoughts and dreams that flow beneath the surface of conscious thinking. The "undercurrent of dream" suggests a deeper layer of awareness that guides us toward moments of recognition and insight, often unnoticed in the rush of daily activities.

Levertov then focuses on the child: "Call the child to eat, send him off, his mouth tasting of toothpaste, to go down into the ground, into a roaring train and to school." This depiction of the child’s morning routine blends the intimate and personal with the broader rhythms of urban life. The child’s "mouth tasting of toothpaste" is a relatable detail that grounds the scene in everyday reality, while his journey "into the ground, into a roaring train" connects the domestic sphere with the larger world.

The poem’s attention to the child’s physical characteristics—"His cheeks are pink / his black eyes hold his dreams"—captures the innocence and potential of youth. The mention of the child’s dreams suggests a rich inner life, hinting at the possibilities and aspirations that he carries with him as he leaves for school. The line "he has left forgetting his glasses" introduces a moment of concern and care, underscoring the parental role in ensuring the child’s well-being.

The action of the parent following the child down the stairs to return his forgotten glasses—"Follow down the stairs at a clatter to give them to him and save his clear sight"—is a tender gesture that encapsulates the theme of attentive care. This small but significant act of love ensures that the child’s vision remains clear, both literally and metaphorically, as he faces the world.

The poem concludes with a sensory detail: "Cold air / comes in at the street door." This closing image brings the reader back to the physical environment, highlighting the contrast between the warmth of the home and the cold outside world. It serves as a reminder of the protective, nurturing space that the home provides against the harsher elements of the external environment.

"Matins: 5" is a celebration of the sacredness found in the routines and rituals of daily life. Through her attentive and compassionate portrayal of a morning scene, Levertov invites readers to recognize the deeper significance of ordinary actions and the seamless flow of thought and dream that accompanies them. The poem underscores the themes of care, presence, and the interconnectedness of the mundane and the sacred, reminding us of the profound beauty in everyday moments.

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