Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "Matins: 6" continues the exploration of the theme of authenticity, this time infusing it with elements of myth and fantasy to convey the elusive and transformative nature of truth and self-realization. Through a vivid and imaginative narrative, Levertov delves into the quest for authenticity and the sacrifices and transformations that such a quest entails.

The poem opens with a declaration of the elusive nature of authenticity: "The authentic! It rolls just out of reach, beyond running feet and stretching fingers, down the green slope and into the black waves of the sea." This image captures the frustrating and continuous pursuit of something genuine and true, which always seems just beyond our grasp. The "green slope" and "black waves of the sea" evoke a landscape that is both inviting and foreboding, suggesting that the path to authenticity is both beautiful and fraught with challenges.

Levertov then introduces a surreal element with the address to a "little horse": "Speak to me, little horse, beloved, tell me / how to follow the iron ball, how to follow through to the country beneath the waves." The little horse represents a guide or a source of wisdom in this fantastical journey. The "iron ball" symbolizes the goal or the truth that the speaker is chasing. The "country beneath the waves" suggests a hidden, possibly subconscious realm where true transformation can occur, emphasizing that the journey to authenticity often involves delving into deeper, less accessible parts of ourselves.

The poem takes a darker turn as the speaker acknowledges the need for sacrifice and transformation: "to the place where I must kill you and you step out of your bones and flystrewn meat tall, smiling, renewed, / formed in your own likeness." This powerful and unsettling image of the beloved horse being sacrificed and then reborn highlights the idea that true authenticity requires a profound metamorphosis. The act of killing the horse, followed by its renewal, suggests that parts of the self must be surrendered or transformed in order to achieve a more genuine existence.

The imagery of "bones" and "flystrewn meat" juxtaposed with "tall, smiling, renewed" creates a striking contrast between death and rebirth. This transformation process, though painful and difficult, results in a being that is "formed in your own likeness," implying a return to a truer, more authentic self. The notion of stepping out of one’s old form and emerging renewed speaks to the idea of shedding falsehoods and embracing a deeper truth.

Levertov’s use of free verse allows the poem to flow naturally, mirroring the unpredictable and often turbulent journey towards authenticity. The lack of strict structure reflects the fluid and dynamic nature of personal growth and transformation. The poem’s vivid and fantastical imagery engages the reader’s imagination, drawing them into the speaker’s quest.

"Matins: 6" is a meditation on the elusive and transformative nature of authenticity. Through the use of mythic and surreal elements, Levertov conveys the idea that the pursuit of true selfhood requires both a relentless quest and a willingness to undergo profound transformation. The poem suggests that while the path to authenticity is challenging and often involves significant sacrifice, it ultimately leads to a deeper, more genuine understanding of oneself.

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