Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "What Wild Dawns There Were" is a nostalgic reflection on the passage of time and the changes in perspective that accompany it. The poem captures a sense of loss and transformation as it contrasts the vibrant and unrestrained experiences of youth with the more subdued and detached experiences of later years. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Levertov explores themes of intimacy, memory, and the inevitable changes that come with aging.

The poem opens with a vivid recollection of "wild dawns" during the speaker's early years in a new place. The phrase "wild dawns" suggests a sense of excitement and untamed beauty. The speaker and their companion would run outdoors naked to urinate in the long grass behind the house, an act that conveys a sense of freedom and connection to nature. This intimate and unrestrained behavior highlights a period of life characterized by spontaneity and a close bond with the natural world.

Levertov's imagery in this section is rich and evocative. The dawns are described as having "streamers, such banners of fire and blue," which conjures images of a sky ablaze with color and intensity. The blue is poetically likened to "Lilith to full day's honest Eve," invoking a sense of mystery and allure associated with the twilight hours before the full light of day. The mention of "feathers of gold under the morning star" further emphasizes the beauty and wonder of these early mornings, seen through "dazed eyes" as the speaker stumbles back to bed, chilled with dew, to sleep until the sun is high.

This sense of wonder and wildness stands in stark contrast to the present, where the speaker acknowledges that if they wake early now, they do not go outdoors. The shift from direct engagement with nature to viewing the dawn "through glass" signifies a move towards separation and detachment. The dawns are now described as "cloudless flushes of light, paleness slowly turning to rose, and fading subdued." The once vivid and dynamic experiences of dawn have become muted and routine, reflecting a loss of the earlier sense of wonder and adventure.

Levertov captures the unspoken changes in the relationship between the speaker and their companion. The line "and you if you do go / rarely call me to see the day break" suggests a growing distance or a change in shared experiences. The act of watching the dawn together, once a source of shared wonder, has diminished, leaving the speaker to observe these changes alone and through a barrier.

The final lines of the poem emphasize the unspoken nature of these changes. The speaker notes that they "have not spoken of these tired risings of the sun," indicating a reluctance or inability to address the shifts in their relationship and in their perception of the world. This silence underscores a sense of resignation and acceptance of the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings.

The structure of "What Wild Dawns There Were" is free verse, allowing Levertov to seamlessly move between past and present, capturing the fluidity of memory and reflection. The language is both lyrical and grounded, evoking vivid images while maintaining an intimate and personal tone.

In conclusion, "What Wild Dawns There Were" by Denise Levertov is a poignant exploration of the passage of time and the changes in perspective that accompany it. Through rich imagery and reflective language, Levertov contrasts the vibrant and unrestrained experiences of youth with the more subdued and detached experiences of later years. The poem captures a sense of loss and transformation, emphasizing the changes in intimacy, memory, and engagement with the natural world. It serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the shifts in perception that come with aging.

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