Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s poem "Our Bodies" is a tender and intimate exploration of physicality, focusing on the expressive and evocative nature of the human form. Through her detailed and sensuous imagery, Levertov delves into the unique language of the body, suggesting that it conveys emotions and meanings that surpass those expressed by the face or voice.

The poem begins with an observation: "Our bodies, still young under the engraved anxiety of our faces, and innocently / more expressive than faces." This line highlights the contrast between the visible signs of worry and stress etched into our faces and the enduring vitality and expressiveness of our bodies. Despite the anxieties that life imprints on our countenance, our bodies retain a certain innocence and directness in their expression.

Levertov then describes the body in terms that emphasize its inherent expressiveness: "nipples, navel, and pubic hair make anyway a / sort of face." By likening these features to a face, she underscores the idea that different parts of the body can convey emotions and character in ways similar to facial expressions. This comparison creates a new way of seeing the body, suggesting a deeper, more holistic approach to understanding human emotion and identity.

The poem continues with a beautiful metaphor: "or taking the rounded shadows at breast, buttock, balls, / the plump of my belly, the hollow of your groin, as a constellation." Here, Levertov invites us to view the body as a constellation, a collection of stars forming a meaningful pattern. This cosmic imagery elevates the body to a celestial level, implying that our physical forms are part of a larger, interconnected universe. The "gesture of play and / wise compassion" that the body leans into "from earth to dawn" suggests a natural, almost divine, grace and understanding that is embodied in our physical selves.

The next lines, "nothing like this comes to pass in eyes or wistful mouths," further emphasize the body's unique ability to express profound feelings and truths that may elude verbal or facial expression. The physical form, in its natural state, communicates more deeply and authentically than conventional expressions of emotion.

Levertov shares a personal reflection: "I have / a line or groove I love runs down / my body from breastbone to waist. It speaks of eagerness, of distance." This intimate detail highlights how specific features of the body can carry personal significance and evoke specific emotions or memories. The groove on her body becomes a symbol of longing and aspiration, embodying a personal narrative that is both physical and emotional.

The poem closes with a vivid image of the beloved's body: "Your long back, the sand color and how the bones show, say / what sky after sunset almost white / over a deep woods to which rooks are homing, says." This comparison to a sunset sky over a dark forest suggests a profound, natural beauty and a sense of return or homecoming. The imagery of the sky and woods evokes a serene and timeless quality, reflecting the deep connection and understanding that the speaker feels towards the beloved’s body.

In "Our Bodies," Denise Levertov eloquently captures the profound expressiveness of the human form. Through her rich, sensual imagery, she celebrates the body’s ability to convey complex emotions and narratives, suggesting that physicality is an essential and often underappreciated aspect of human communication and connection. The poem invites readers to appreciate their own bodies and those of their loved ones as profound sources of meaning and beauty, capable of expressing the deepest aspects of our human experience.

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