At Delphi I prayed to Apollo that he maintain in me the flame of the poem and I drank of the brackish… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Insofar as poetry has a social function it is to awaken sleepers by other means than shock. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
I'm not very good at praying, but what I experience when I'm writing a poem is close to prayer. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
We have the words in our pockets, obscure directions. The old ones have taken away the light of their presence. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Writing poetry is a process of discovery...you can smell the poem before you see it…Like some animal. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
I believe every space and comma is a living part of the poem and has its function, just as every muscle and… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
The poem has a social effect of some kind whether or not the poet wills it to have. It has a kenetic… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
A poet articulating the dreads and horrors of our time is necessary in order to make readers understand what is happening, really… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
I don't think one can accurately measure the historical effectiveness of a poem; but one does know, of course, that books influence… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
“The roses tremble; oh, the sunflower's eye Is opened wide in sad expectancy. Westward and back the circling swallows fly, The rooks'… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
When you're really caught up in writing a poem, it can be a form of prayer. I'm not very good at praying,… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
“A voice from the dark called out, "The poets must give us imagination of peace, to oust the intense, familiar imagination of… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Prophetic utterance, like poetic utterance, transforms experience and moves the receiver to new attitudes. The kinds of experience--the recognitions or revelations--out of… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Death and pain dominate this world, for though many are cured, they leave still weak, still tremulous, still knowing mortality has whispered to them;… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
I believe every space and comma is a living part of the poem and has its function, just as every muscle and pore of… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Each part of speech a spark awaiting redemption, each a virtue, a power in abeyance. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
It is fatal to one's artistic life to talk about something this is in process. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
If woman is inconstant, good, I am faithful to ebb and flow, I fall in season and now is a time of ripening. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
Putting his hope in certain death, lowering his head again to the grass. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
slowly the pale dew-beads of light lapped up from flowers can thicken, darken to gold: honey of the human. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
“I am, a shadow that grows longer as the sun moves, drawn out on a thread of wonder. If I bear burdens they begin… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
In city, in suburb, in forest, no way to stretch out the arms - so if you would grow, go straight up or deep… — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
I like to find what's not found at once, but lies within something of another nature, in repose, distinct. — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
There is no savor more sweet, more salt than to be glad to be what, woman, and who, myself, I am... — Denise Levertov Copy Share Image
