Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "Matins: 7" culminates her series with an invocation to truth, urging it to pervade every aspect of daily life. This poem encapsulates a yearning for an authentic experience that is both omnipresent and transformative, manifesting in both mundane and extraordinary forms. Through rich imagery and direct address, Levertov emphasizes the need for truth to be a constant, tangible force in our lives.

The poem opens with a call to "Marvellous Truth": "Marvellous Truth, confront us at every turn, / in every guise, iron ball, egg, dark horse, shadow, cloud / of breath on the air." This appeal to truth personifies it as a powerful and dynamic presence capable of appearing in various forms. The list of guises—iron ball, egg, dark horse, shadow, cloud of breath—highlights the multifaceted nature of truth, suggesting that it can be both solid and ethereal, familiar and mysterious.

Levertov then situates this truth within the context of daily life: "dwell / in our crowded hearts / our steaming bathrooms, kitchens full of things to be done, the ordinary streets." By placing truth in these intimate and common settings, the poet emphasizes that authenticity is not only found in grand or profound moments but also in the everyday tasks and environments that shape our lives. The crowded hearts and mundane chores symbolize the complexity and busyness of life, suggesting that even in these seemingly insignificant moments, the presence of truth is vital.

The poet's plea for truth to "thrust close your smile / that we know you, terrible joy" introduces a paradoxical element. The "smile" of truth is described as both intimate and confronting, emphasizing that genuine truth brings with it a "terrible joy." This phrase captures the dual nature of truth: it is joyful because it is real and illuminating, but it is also terrible because it can be unsettling and disruptive. The close thrusting of this smile implies an unavoidable and intense encounter, forcing the individual to confront and embrace truth fully.

Levertov's use of free verse allows the poem to flow organically, reflecting the natural and pervasive presence of truth in our lives. The structure, with its seamless progression from invocation to reflection, mirrors the integration of truth into both the extraordinary and the ordinary.

"Matins: 7" is a powerful invocation for truth to permeate every aspect of existence, from the most mundane to the most profound. Through her evocative imagery and heartfelt plea, Levertov captures the essence of living authentically, urging readers to recognize and embrace the multifaceted nature of truth in all its forms. The poem concludes the "Matins" series by underscoring the transformative potential of truth, suggesting that its constant presence can lead to a life filled with "terrible joy" and genuine understanding.

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