Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Mourner" poignantly captures the deep sorrow and burden of mourning, exploring themes of loss, memory, and the weight of grief. Through vivid and intimate imagery, Levertov conveys the emotional and physical toll of carrying a loved one's memory, portraying mourning as a journey that is both internal and external.

The poem opens with a striking wish: "Instead of arms to hold you I want longer limbs, vines, to wrap you twofold, threefold." This desire for extended limbs like vines suggests an intense yearning for closeness and a need to envelop the lost loved one completely. The imagery of vines wrapping around emphasizes the idea of entanglement and the inescapable nature of grief. The repetition of "twofold, threefold" indicates a growing intensity and depth of this longing.

Levertov continues to depict the mourner's actions: "I wrap you, I pick you up, I carry you, your knees drawn up, your head bent, your arms crossed on your breast." This description paints a vivid picture of the mourner cradling the deceased, evoking a sense of tenderness and protection. The posture of the deceased, with "knees drawn up" and "arms crossed on your breast," suggests a fetal position, symbolizing vulnerability and a return to a state of helplessness. This imagery underscores the mourner's role as a caretaker, despite the overwhelming weight of grief.

The repetition of "You are heavy" emphasizes the physical and emotional burden of mourning. The mourner's journey is described as continuous and unrelenting: "I walk, I walk." This repetition of the act of walking signifies the endless nature of grief, a journey without a clear destination. The mourner traverses various terrains, "Hill and dale. Indoors. Out again," highlighting the pervasive presence of grief in all aspects of life. The refrain "You say nothing" underscores the silence and absence of the loved one, a painful reminder of the finality of death.

As the mourner continues their journey, the burden grows paradoxically: "You grow smaller, I wrap you fourfold." The loved one diminishes in size, yet the weight of grief remains, becoming even more pronounced. This paradox reflects the deepening impact of loss over time, as memories become more compact and precious, yet their emotional weight intensifies. The mourner's attempt to show "all the wonders you showed me, infinitesimal and immense" indicates a desire to reconnect and share experiences, even in the face of silence.

The final lines, "You grow smaller, smaller, and always heavier. Why will you not speak?" encapsulate the central agony of mourning. The loved one becomes increasingly diminutive, symbolizing the gradual fading of their physical presence, but the mourner's grief only grows heavier. The repeated question, "Why will you not speak?" highlights the mourner's longing for communication, closure, and perhaps understanding. This unanswered question leaves the reader with a sense of unresolved sorrow and the enduring struggle to cope with loss.

Structurally, the poem's free verse form mirrors the mourner's meandering journey, allowing the emotions to flow naturally without the constraints of a fixed rhyme or meter. The lack of punctuation in places creates a sense of breathlessness and continuity, reflecting the relentless nature of grief.

Levertov's language is simple yet powerful, using vivid imagery and repetition to convey the weight and persistence of mourning. The poem's intimate and personal tone invites readers to share in the mourner's experience, evoking empathy and reflection on their own experiences with loss.

In "Mourner," Denise Levertov masterfully explores the complex emotions and physical sensations associated with grief. Through her evocative imagery and poignant repetition, she captures the enduring burden of mourning, the longing for connection, and the profound silence of loss. This poem serves as a testament to the enduring impact of grief and the universal human experience of coping with the absence of loved ones.

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