Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "Earthwoman and the Waterwoman" contrasts two archetypal figures to explore themes of grounding versus fluidity, sustenance versus ethereality, and the divergent paths of life embodied in these elements. Through vivid imagery and symbolic representation, Levertov delineates the distinct yet intertwined lives of these two women.

The poem opens by situating the earthwoman in her domestic environment: "The earthwoman by her oven tends her cakes of good grain." This imagery immediately grounds her in a world of nourishment and stability, emphasizing her connection to the earth and the tangible aspects of life. Her domain is one of sustenance, symbolized by the "cakes of good grain," representing fertility, productivity, and the fruits of hard work.

In stark contrast, the waterwoman's children are described as "spindle thin," suggesting a lack of the physical nourishment that defines the earthwoman's life. The waterwoman herself is associated with songs and a more ethereal existence: "The waterwoman / sings gay songs in a sad voice with her moonshine children." This juxtaposition of gay songs and a sad voice hints at a deeper complexity and perhaps a sense of melancholy underlying her existence, reflecting the transient and elusive nature of water.

Levertov deepens the contrast by describing the physicality of the earthwoman: "The earthwoman / has oaktree arms. Her children full of blood and milk / stamp through the woods shouting." The earthwoman's "oaktree arms" evoke strength, stability, and a nurturing presence, while her robust children, "full of blood and milk," embody vitality and a connection to the natural world. Their exuberance and physicality highlight the earthwoman's role in fostering life and growth.

Conversely, the waterwoman's children are described as ethereal and fragile, living in a world of song and moonlight: "the waterwoman / sings gay songs in a sad voice with her moonshine children." The repeated association with light, song, and an almost spectral existence underscores the waterwoman's connection to the intangible and the ephemeral.

The poem further contrasts their lifestyles and nightly rituals. The earthwoman, after a fulfilling day, finds solace in sleep: "When the earthwoman / has had her fill of the good day / she curls to sleep in her warm hut / a dark fruitcake sleep." Her sleep, described as "dark fruitcake," suggests richness and completeness, mirroring her grounded and fruitful life.

In contrast, the waterwoman engages in nocturnal escapades: "but the waterwoman / goes dancing in the misty lit-up town / in dragonfly dresses and blue shoes." Her activities are characterized by movement, lightness, and a sense of enchantment, further emphasizing her ethereal and transient nature.

In summary, Denise Levertov's "Earthwoman and the Waterwoman" uses contrasting imagery to depict two archetypal figures embodying different aspects of existence. The earthwoman represents grounding, nourishment, and stability, while the waterwoman symbolizes fluidity, ethereality, and a more elusive, melancholic beauty. Through these vivid contrasts, Levertov explores the multifaceted nature of life and the diverse ways in which people connect to the world around them. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own connections to the elements of earth and water, and the balance between the tangible and the ephemeral in their lives.

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