Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Broken Ghazals" delves into the fragmentation and tumult of human experience, using the ghazal form's inherent disjointedness to reflect on themes of individuality, pain, and the passage of time. Through a series of vivid, often disjointed images, Levertov captures the essence of life's unpredictability and the intense emotions that come with it.

The poem opens with a cosmic metaphor: "Each life spins / into its own orbit-rain / of meteor showers, sparkle of - / some brittle desire, is it? the stab of deep pain?" This imagery sets the stage for a reflection on how individual lives are like meteors, each with its trajectory and unique sparkle, often driven by desires that can be as fragile as they are intense. The "stab of deep pain" introduces the theme of suffering, suggesting that desire and pain are inextricably linked.

Levertov continues with the idea of separation and tension: "Not without tearing / a few fibers, / the magnet forces / pull apart." Here, the forces of attraction and repulsion symbolize the dynamics of relationships and personal growth. The tearing of fibers represents the inevitable pain and disruption that come with change and separation.

The poem then shifts to a personal narrative: "I. He. Being is not referential. / I wake: instant recollection-a shadow / threatens my son's life. / Others slide their elongations toward his spirit." These lines highlight the poet's intimate fears and anxieties, particularly concerning her son's safety. The use of "I. He." underscores the distinctness of individual existence, while "Being is not referential" suggests that existence is not merely defined by relationships but by the individual essence.

Levertov explores the theme of awakening and consciousness: "My being, unconformable to his perception, / moves on. Awake, I keep waking. / He survives and leaves, moving / through the apparition he sees and away from it." This passage reflects the mother's continued vigilance and the son's growing independence. The notion of "keep waking" conveys a perpetual state of awareness and concern.

The poem continues with a meditation on time and perception: "Again waking, I stretch a hand out to stop the warning clock. / Time is another country. / Squinting toward light: / a tree has filled it / with green diamonds." Here, the act of stopping the clock symbolizes an attempt to control or halt time. The metaphor "Time is another country" suggests that time is a foreign, almost ungraspable concept. The tree filled with "green diamonds" evokes a sense of natural beauty and renewal, contrasting with the earlier imagery of fragmentation and pain.

Levertov introduces the idea of disjointed communication: "Or there's the air, bemused: / newfallen snow. Shock waves of a music / as you / I don't hear / don't hear mine." The bemused air and newfallen snow suggest a moment of calm and clarity, while the "shock waves of a music" hint at underlying disturbances. The lines "as you / I don't hear / don't hear mine" reflect a disconnect in communication and understanding, emphasizing the isolation within shared experiences.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of resilience and resistance: "How they beat on the sea-wall!" This final line evokes the relentless force of waves against a sea-wall, symbolizing the continuous onslaught of life's challenges and the enduring strength needed to withstand them.

In summary, "Broken Ghazals" by Denise Levertov uses the fragmented form of the ghazal to explore themes of individuality, pain, time, and the complexity of human relationships. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Levertov captures the tumultuous nature of life and the profound emotions that accompany it. The poem invites readers to contemplate their own experiences of fragmentation and resilience, highlighting the beauty and intensity of existence.

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