Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Common Ground" is a rich and multifaceted poem that explores the intersection of language, labor, and the natural world. Through its three sections, the poem meditates on the power of words, the beauty of shared experiences, and the transcendental qualities of communication.

The poem begins with a focus on the physical and metaphorical ground: "To stand on common ground here and there gritty with pebbles yet elsewhere 'fine and mellow-uncommon fine for ploughing.'" This opening sets up a contrast between different types of soil, symbolizing the varied contexts in which language and communication occur. The "vegetable words" planted in this soil suggest that language is organic and requires careful cultivation to "come to virtue."

Levertov emphasizes the historical and collective labor involved in language: "To reach those shining pebbles, that soil where uncommon men have labored in their virtue and left a store of seeds for planting!" This line acknowledges the contributions of past thinkers and writers, whose efforts have enriched the soil of language and left seeds for future generations to plant and harvest. The imagery of "crunching on words grown in grit or fine crumbling earth" conveys the tangible, nourishing quality of well-cultivated language, which is "sweet to eat and sweet to be given."

In the second section, Levertov shifts to a more vibrant and dynamic scene: "In time of blossoming, of red buds, of red margins upon white petals among the new green." This seasonal imagery captures a moment of renewal and growth, paralleling the blossoming of ideas and communication. The juxtaposition of natural beauty with human activity—"girls laugh at the sun, men in business suits awkwardly recline"—highlights the integration of nature and everyday life. The petals falling into "crumpled wax-paper, cartons of hot coffee" symbolize the infusion of poetic and natural elements into the mundane aspects of human existence.

Levertov speaks of the transformative power of language and nature: "Poems stirred into paper coffee-cups, eaten with petals on rye in the sun." This image suggests that poetry and nature can be consumed and integrated into daily life, becoming a part of the individuals who experience them. The reference to "the traffic grinding the borders of spring" serves as a reminder of the tension between natural beauty and urban life, yet the poem remains hopeful about the integration of these elements.

In the final section, Levertov reflects on the higher purpose of language: "... everything in the world must excel itself to be itself." Quoting Pasternak, she rejects "common speech" as merely ordinary, instead celebrating "the uncommon speech of paradise" where profound truths can be communicated. This "language excelling itself to be itself" is akin to the light with which "mountains sing to each other across the cold valleys," suggesting that true communication transcends the ordinary and connects deeply with the soul.

In summary, "Common Ground" by Denise Levertov is a contemplative poem that explores the interplay between language, labor, and the natural world. Through rich imagery and thoughtful reflection, Levertov celebrates the organic and transformative power of words, the beauty of shared human experiences, and the transcendent qualities of genuine communication. The poem invites readers to appreciate the deep connections between language, nature, and the human spirit.

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