Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Cloud Poems: 2. The Recollection" continues the exploration of clouds as metaphors, this time reflecting on memory and revelation. The poem captures a moment of sudden clarity and beauty, revealed unexpectedly through the movement of a cloud, and explores how such moments can profoundly alter our perception.

The poem opens with an invitation to remember: "There was once a cloud-remember?" This immediately engages the reader, drawing them into a shared memory. The use of "remember?" suggests that the experience was significant and memorable, inviting reflection on past moments of revelation.

Levertov describes the cloud with "swift undulations," emphasizing its dynamic and fluid nature. This movement is pivotal, as it "drew away from our feet," uncovering a dramatic and previously hidden landscape. The image of the cloud drawing away to reveal a precipice at the edge of where they stood evokes a sense of sudden exposure and vulnerability. This moment of revelation can be seen as both exhilarating and terrifying, as it brings into view the vastness and beauty of what lies below.

The newly revealed scene is described in vibrant detail: "a radiant valley, rivers, fold and fields, gleaming villages." This imagery contrasts sharply with the obscuring cloud, highlighting the transformative power of revelation. The valley is "radiant," suggesting not just visual brightness but also a sense of warmth and vitality. The inclusion of rivers, fields, and villages creates a rich, pastoral landscape that feels idyllic and inviting.

The act of the cloud moving away to reveal such a scene can be interpreted metaphorically. It suggests that moments of clarity and beauty are often hidden just beyond our immediate perception, obscured by the "clouds" of our everyday lives. When these clouds part, even momentarily, we are granted glimpses of the deeper, more radiant aspects of our world and our experiences.

In summary, "Cloud Poems: 2. The Recollection" by Denise Levertov is a reflective and vivid poem that explores the theme of revelation through the metaphor of a cloud. The poem captures a moment of sudden clarity and beauty, emphasizing how such experiences can profoundly shift our perception and understanding. Levertov's imagery invites readers to reflect on their own moments of revelation and the hidden beauty that lies just beyond the clouds of daily life.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...