Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Cancion" is a poignant and evocative exploration of the speaker’s multifaceted identity through the metaphorical transformations into the sky, the sea, the earth, and a woman. The poem captures the intense and often tumultuous experiences associated with these states, ultimately reflecting on the power and vulnerability of being a woman.

The poem begins with the speaker as the sky: "When I am the sky / a glittering bird / slashes at me with the knives of song." This imagery suggests both beauty and violence, as the bird’s song, typically a symbol of freedom and joy, is depicted here as sharp and piercing. The sky, vast and open, becomes a canvas for this duality, where the song’s beauty is inseparable from its pain.

Next, the speaker transforms into the sea: "When I am the sea / fiery clouds plunge into my mirrors, / fracture my smooth breath with crimson sobbing." The sea, often seen as a symbol of depth and tranquility, is disrupted by the dramatic entry of fiery clouds, representing intense emotions or conflicts. The "crimson sobbing" fractures the sea’s smooth surface, illustrating how external forces can disturb inner peace, creating ripples of sorrow and turbulence.

As the earth, the speaker feels the inevitable process of wearing down: "When I am the earth / I feel my flesh of rock wearing down: / pebbles, grit, finest dust, nothing." The progression from solid rock to dust signifies erosion and decay, reflecting the passage of time and the impermanence of physical existence. This transformation emphasizes the relentless and often unnoticed forces that shape and diminish the earth over time, paralleling the gradual wear of the human spirit under life’s pressures.

The final transformation into a woman brings a deeply personal and emotional dimension: "When I am a woman--O, when I am / a woman, / my wells of salt brim and brim, / poems force the lock of my throat." The repetition and exclamation of "O, when I am a woman" underscore the significance and intensity of this identity. The "wells of salt" symbolize tears and deep emotional reservoirs, suggesting a profound capacity for feeling and expression. The imagery of poems forcing the lock of her throat speaks to the overwhelming need to articulate and release these emotions, highlighting the creative and expressive potential that comes with being a woman.

"Cancion" by Denise Levertov eloquently captures the essence of transformation and the complex interplay of beauty, pain, erosion, and emotional depth. Through vivid and visceral imagery, Levertov explores the speaker’s shifting identities, ultimately grounding the poem in the powerful experience of womanhood. This multifaceted portrayal invites readers to consider the interconnectedness of natural and human states, and the profound impact of external and internal forces on one’s identity and expression.

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