Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Ascension" is a profound meditation on the metaphysical and physical journey of Christ’s ascent into heaven. Through vivid imagery and deep theological reflection, the poem delves into the complexities and dualities of the Ascension, presenting it as both a transcendental and a corporeal experience.

The poem begins with an image of struggle and emergence: "Stretching himself as if again, through downpress of dust upward, soil giving way / to thread of white, that reaches for daylight, to open as green leaf that it is." This evokes the imagery of a plant breaking through the earth, symbolizing resurrection and the reawakening of life. The "thread of white" reaching for daylight suggests purity and the striving for transcendence, while the "green leaf" represents new life and hope.

Levertov then poses a thought-provoking question: "Can the Ascension not have been / arduous, almost, / as the return / from Sheol, and / back through the tomb / into breath?" Here, she invites readers to consider the Ascension not just as a moment of triumph but as a challenging and strenuous process, comparable to Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The reference to Sheol, the abode of the dead in Hebrew tradition, emphasizes the depth and difficulty of the journey back to life and subsequently to heaven.

The poem continues to explore the transformation from mortal to divine: "Matter reanimate / now must relinquish / itself, its human cells, / molecules, five senses, linear / vision endured as Man—." This indicates the shedding of human physicality and limitations, transitioning from a finite, sensory existence to an infinite, all-encompassing divine perspective. The "linear vision" endured as a human contrasts with the "Eye of Eternity," signifying the shift from temporal to eternal perception.

Levertov then reflects on the concept of relinquishment: "Relinquished, earth's broken Eden. / Expulsion, liberation, last / Self-enjoined task of Incarnation." This suggests that the Ascension involves leaving behind the flawed, earthly existence (the "broken Eden") and achieving ultimate liberation. It is portrayed as the final act of Christ's Incarnation, a self-imposed mission to transcend earthly confines.

The final lines of the poem highlight the paradoxical nature of this transformation: "He again / Fathering Himself. / Seed case / splitting. / He again / Mothering His birth: torture and bliss?" The imagery of "Fathering Himself" and "Mothering His birth" suggests a cyclical, self-sustaining process of creation and rebirth. The metaphor of the "seed case splitting" indicates a release and emergence, echoing the initial image of the plant breaking through the soil. The juxtaposition of "torture and bliss" encapsulates the duality of the Ascension—both a painful separation from the human form and a joyous reunion with the divine.

"Ascension" by Denise Levertov intricately explores the spiritual and physical dimensions of Christ’s ascent into heaven. Through its rich and evocative language, the poem invites readers to contemplate the profound and arduous nature of this divine journey. Levertov's work encapsulates the paradox of transcendence, where suffering and liberation, mortality and eternity, intertwine in the ultimate act of divine fulfillment.

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