Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "Fragrance of Life, Odor of Death" poignantly juxtaposes the scents associated with life and death, capturing the stark contrasts and haunting connections between them. This poem was written in the context of the Vietnam War, a conflict that profoundly influenced Levertov's work, and it reflects her deep concerns about the devastation caused by war and its far-reaching implications.

The poem begins with an evocative portrayal of life amid destruction: "All the while among the rubble even, and in the hospitals, among the wounded, / not only beneath lofty clouds / in temples / by the shores of lotus-dreaming lakes / a fragrance: / flowers, incense, the earth-mist rising of mild daybreak in the delta—good smell of life." Levertov paints a vivid picture of resilience and beauty amid chaos. The mention of flowers, incense, and earth-mist signifies the enduring presence of life and hope even in the most dire circumstances. This imagery suggests that life’s inherent beauty and persistence are not confined to serene, idyllic settings but can also be found in places marred by conflict and suffering.

The poem then transitions to a starkly contrasting image of America, where Levertov notes, "no bombs ever have screamed down smashing / the buildings, shredding the people's bodies, tossing the fields of Kansas or Vermont or Maryland into / to land wrong way up, a gash of earth-guts..." Here, she highlights the physical untouched state of America by war, contrasting it with the war-torn landscapes of Vietnam. Despite this lack of direct destruction, she remarks, "it's in America, everywhere, a faint seepage, I smell death." This line powerfully conveys the insidious and pervasive nature of death, suggesting that even in a country not ravaged by war, the specter of death is omnipresent.

Levertov's use of olfactory imagery—the "fragrance" of life and the "odor" of death—serves to underscore the contrasts between life and death, hope and despair, and the visible and invisible impacts of war. By invoking these sensory experiences, she draws the reader into a visceral understanding of the poem's themes. The fragrance of life, associated with natural and cultural beauty, stands in stark contrast to the odor of death, which seeps unnoticed into the everyday environment of a nation seemingly at peace.

The final line, "Hanoi-Boston-Maine, November 1972," situates the poem within a specific historical and geographical context. By linking these diverse locations, Levertov suggests a global interconnectedness and the shared human experience of war's repercussions. The mention of November 1972, a period near the end of the Vietnam War, highlights the temporal immediacy of the poem and its urgent call to recognize and confront the realities of conflict.

In "Fragrance of Life, Odor of Death," Levertov masterfully uses imagery and contrast to explore the profound and pervasive impacts of war. The poem serves as a poignant reminder that the effects of conflict extend far beyond the immediate sites of destruction, permeating even those places that appear untouched. Through her evocative language, Levertov invites readers to reflect on the fragility of life, the presence of death, and the interconnectedness of the human experience across different landscapes and histories.

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