Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Variation and Reflection on a Theme by Rilke" delves into the profound interplay between human consciousness, the desire for stillness, and the ceaseless flow of time and existence. Through introspective and evocative language, Levertov explores themes of causality, perception, and the elusive nature of divine and creative presence, drawing inspiration from Rainer Maria Rilke’s contemplative style.

The poem is structured in two parts, each addressing different facets of the human experience and our interaction with the divine or the infinite.

In the first part, Levertov begins with a wish for a momentary halt in the relentless "swing of cause and effect": "If just for once the swing of cause and effect, / cause and effect, / would come to rest." This repetition emphasizes the constant motion of life, where events are perpetually linked in a chain of causality. The desire for this chain to "come to rest" suggests a longing for a pause, a moment of pure being free from the constraints of temporal sequence.

She imagines a scenario where "casual events would halt, / and the machine that supplies meaningless laughter / ran down." The "machine" metaphor underscores the mechanical, often superficial aspects of daily life that distract from deeper reflection. If these distractions ceased, "my bustling senses, taking a deep breath / fell silent / and left my attention free at last," there would be a possibility for profound contemplation.

In this envisioned stillness, the speaker's thought could "think you into itself / until it filled with you to the very brim." The use of "you" is open to interpretation, potentially addressing a divine presence, a loved one, or the essence of creation itself. This immersion is so complete that it "bounding the whole flood of your boundlessness," capturing the paradox of trying to contain something infinite. The culmination of this moment is a "timeless moment of possession," which, though fleeting, is profound. It allows for a moment of surrender where the speaker would "let you flow back into all creation," suggesting a cyclical relationship with the divine or the infinite.

In the second part, Levertov confronts the impossibility of achieving this stillness: "There will never be that stillness." This stark statement acknowledges the perpetual motion and inherent unrest in human existence. The imagery of "the pulse of flesh, / in the dust of being, where we trudge," evokes the mundane reality of life where humans are constantly in motion, both physically and metaphorically.

Yet, amidst this movement, there is a hint of the divine: "the wings of the morning / brush through our blood / as cloud-shadows brush the land." This beautiful metaphor suggests that moments of transcendence and divine presence touch our lives subtly and briefly, much like the ephemeral shadows of clouds passing over the earth.

Levertov concludes with a powerful reflection on desire and existence: "What we desire travels with us. / We must breathe time as fishes breathe water. / God’s flight circles us." Here, she implies that our deepest desires are integral to our being and accompany us throughout our lives. The comparison of breathing time to fishes breathing water highlights the inescapable nature of time and how it envelops us entirely. The final line, "God’s flight circles us," encapsulates the idea that the divine is ever-present, moving around and within us, even if we cannot always perceive it.

"Variation and Reflection on a Theme by Rilke" by Denise Levertov is a contemplative exploration of the human quest for stillness and connection with the infinite. Through her introspective and richly metaphorical language, Levertov captures the tension between the ceaseless flow of life and the fleeting moments of divine presence that offer a glimpse into the boundless.

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