Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s poem "The Fountain" is a poignant and hopeful meditation on the presence of renewal and solace in the face of emotional dryness. Through vivid imagery and a narrative of shared discovery, Levertov emphasizes the enduring availability of spiritual and emotional sustenance, even when it seems elusive.

The poem begins with a direct, imperative plea: "Don't say, don't say there is no water / to solace the dryness at our hearts." This repetition underscores the speaker’s urgency and insistence, challenging the despair or disbelief that there is no relief for inner desolation. The metaphor of "dryness at our hearts" evokes a deep sense of emotional barrenness or spiritual thirst.

Levertov then transitions to a reassuring declaration: "I have seen / the fountain springing out of the rock wall / and you drinking there." This vivid image of a fountain emerging from a rock wall suggests an unexpected and miraculous source of water in a barren place. The act of seeing and the shared experience of drinking from this fountain reinforces the reality and accessibility of this source of renewal.

The narrative continues with a personal account of seeking and finding refreshment: "And I too / before your eyes / found footholds and climbed / to drink the cool water." This imagery of climbing to reach the water signifies effort and determination, but also success in finding and experiencing the refreshing, life-giving water. The coolness of the water emphasizes its soothing and restorative properties.

A woman from the place is introduced: "The woman of that place, shading her eyes, / frowned as she watched - but not because / she grudged the water, / only because she was waiting / to see we drank our fill and were / refreshed." Her presence and concern reflect a guardianship over the fountain, ensuring that those who seek it are able to fully benefit from its refreshment. Her frown is not one of resentment but of care and attentiveness.

Levertov reiterates the central message: "Don't say, don't say there is no water." This repetition reinforces the initial plea, affirming the persistent availability of solace. The fountain is described as being "among the scalloped / green and gray stones," suggesting a natural, unassuming setting that holds a profound source of life. The "quiet song" of the fountain and its "strange power / to spring in us" symbolize the continuous and renewing force of this spiritual or emotional sustenance.

The final lines, "up and out through the rock," capture the transformative and enduring nature of the fountain’s power. The imagery of water springing up through rock underscores the idea that renewal can emerge even from the most unyielding and unexpected places.

"The Fountain" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring presence of hope and renewal. Levertov’s use of vivid imagery and the motif of water as a source of solace conveys a powerful message about the availability of emotional and spiritual sustenance. The poem invites readers to recognize and seek out these sources of refreshment, assuring them that such fountains of renewal exist and can be found even in the hardest of circumstances.

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