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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Denise Levertov's "Romance" is a rich, evocative exploration of secret love and the protective power of nature. Through the use of vivid, sensory imagery and reflective language, the poem delves into themes of hidden affection, memory, and the contrasting forces of nature and societal expectations. The poem is structured in two parts, each contributing to the unfolding of a deeply personal and almost clandestine emotional landscape. In the first part, "i," Levertov sets the scene with "Dark, rainsoaked oaklimbs / within thorny auburn haze / of brush at wood's edge." The imagery here is dense and atmospheric, evoking a sense of mystery and seclusion. The "rainsoaked oaklimbs" and "thorny auburn haze" create a somber yet rich backdrop, suggesting both the beauty and the complexity of the natural world. This setting is not just a physical location but a metaphor for the speaker's internal state. The phrase "Secretly / I love you, whom they think I have abjured" reveals the central conflict of the poem. The speaker confesses a hidden love for someone they are believed to have renounced. The use of "secretly" underscores the clandestine nature of this affection, while "abjured" suggests a formal and possibly public rejection. This tension between public perception and private emotion sets the stage for the poem's exploration of hidden truths and unspoken bonds. In the second part, "ii," the speaker's secret love is further elaborated: "Secretly, blueveiled moody autumn auburn, / you are the very wood I knew always." Here, the speaker addresses the beloved as an integral part of the natural world, characterized by the colors and moods of autumn. The "blueveiled moody autumn auburn" conveys a sense of melancholy and depth, aligning the beloved with the changing, introspective season of autumn. The line "you are the very wood I knew always, that grew up so tall, to hold at bay / the worldly princes" portrays the beloved as a familiar and enduring presence, a protective force against the encroachments of the outside world. The "worldly princes, baffled and torn upon the thorns of your redberried thickets, may and rose" symbolizes external threats or societal pressures that are kept at a distance by the natural, thorny barriers. The "redberried thickets" and the mention of "may and rose" add layers of seasonal and symbolic richness, suggesting both danger and beauty. The poem’s use of natural imagery serves to heighten the sense of secrecy and protection surrounding the speaker's love. The woods, with their dense brush and thorny barriers, represent a sanctuary where the speaker's true emotions can exist away from the prying eyes of society. This natural world is both a refuge and a symbol of the enduring, untamed aspects of the speaker's affection. In conclusion, "Romance" by Denise Levertov is a poignant and richly layered poem that delves into the complexities of hidden love and the protective power of nature. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Levertov captures the tension between public perception and private emotion, and the ways in which the natural world can serve as a sanctuary for the heart's deepest truths. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own hidden affections and the protective barriers they build around their most cherished feelings.
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