--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In certain ways writing is a form of…" description: "\"In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.\" — Denise Levertov" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png" --- # In certain ways writing is a form of prayer. ![“In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.” quote by Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png) > “In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.” [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She likens writing to prayer, suggesting it’s a sacred, reflective act connecting writer and deeper meaning. **In simple terms:** Writing is a sacred act. Key Takeaway Write as a form of meditation. Themes creativity spirituality reflection Mood contemplative peaceful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - journaling - creative workshops - spiritual retreats - teaching writing Key Concepts poetry ritual mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How does writing deepen purpose? - When does it become routine? A Different Perspective Writing may feel burdensome. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Form Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form-prayer-591320/) [Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Ways Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ways-writing-1876160/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-form-698429/) ## Related quotes > [All writing is a form of prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/all-writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [ Writing \[is\] a form of prayer. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [Good art is a form of prayer. It's a way to say what is not sayable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-busch/good-art-is-a-form-of-prayer-it-s-a-way-to-say-what-is-not-sayable/) [Frederick Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-busch/) > [Service is the highest form of prayer as far as I am concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henrik-clarke/service-is-the-highest-form-of-prayer-as-far-as-i-am-concerned/) [John Henrik Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henrik-clarke/) > [When you're really caught up in writing a poem, it can be a form of prayer. I'm not very good at praying, but what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/when-you-re-really-caught-up-in-writing-a-poem-it-can-be-a-form-of/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [I believe there are two ways of writing novels. One is mine, making a sort of musical comedy without music and ignoring real life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/i-believe-there-are-two-ways-of-writing-novels-one-is-mine-making-a/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [I would do a sort of violence to myself if I didn't express myself in the directly creative ways of writing, both words and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/i-would-do-a-sort-of-violence-to-myself-if-i-didn-t-express-myself-in/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I really like to entertain myself in various ways when I'm writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-wolitzer/i-really-like-to-entertain-myself-in-various-ways-when-i-m-writing/) [Meg Wolitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-wolitzer/) > [I'm interested in ways of writing about the social world that don't assassinate the life that's in it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-back/i-m-interested-in-ways-of-writing-about-the-social-world-that-don-t/) [Les Back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-back/) > [“I believe there are two ways of writing novels. One is making a sort of musical comedy without music and ignoring real life altogether;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/i-believe-there-are-two-ways-of-writing-novels-one-is-making-a-sort/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [There are millions of ways to not be writing. You say you're not in the mood, you'll pick it up tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-serling/there-are-millions-of-ways-to-not-be-writing-you-say-you-re-not-in/) [Rod Serling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-serling/) > [I think in a lot of ways, writing, when you're really in there, is like being an actress because you're in somebody else's head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tama-janowitz/i-think-in-a-lot-of-ways-writing-when-you-re-really-in-there-is-like/) [Tama Janowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tama-janowitz/) > [There are two different ways of writing a novel. The first I call the traditional father way, when the novelist slightly situates himself or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-safak/there-are-two-different-ways-of-writing-a-novel-the-first-i-call-the/) [Elif Safak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-safak/) > [Writers are a fascinating breed, because there are so many kinds of them, they are made by so many circumstances, conditions, and mysteries, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/writers-are-a-fascinating-breed-because-there-are-so-many-kinds-of/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [The funny thing about writing is that whether you're doing well or doing it poorly, it looks the exact same. That's actually one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/the-funny-thing-about-writing-is-that-whether-you-re-doing-well-or/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by Denise Levertov > [Death and pain dominate this world, for though many are cured, they leave still weak, still tremulous, still knowing mortality has whispered to them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/death-and-pain-dominate-this-world-for-though-many-are-cured-they/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [The artist must create himself or be born again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/the-artist-must-create-himself-or-be-born-again/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [I believe every space and comma is a living part of the poem and has its function, just as every muscle and pore of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/i-believe-every-space-and-comma-is-a-living-part-of-the-poem-and-has/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [Each part of speech a spark awaiting redemption, each a virtue, a power in abeyance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/each-part-of-speech-a-spark-awaiting-redemption-each-a-virtue-a-power/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [It is fatal to one's artistic life to talk about something this is in process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/it-is-fatal-to-one-s-artistic-life-to-talk-about-something-this-is-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [If woman is inconstant, good, I am faithful to ebb and flow, I fall in season and now is a time of ripening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/if-woman-is-inconstant-good-i-am-faithful-to-ebb-and-flow-i-fall-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [Putting his hope in certain death, lowering his head again to the grass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/putting-his-hope-in-certain-death-lowering-his-head-again-to-the-grass/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [slowly the pale dew-beads of light lapped up from flowers can thicken, darken to gold: honey of the human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/slowly-the-pale-dew-beads-of-light-lapped-up-from-flowers-can-thicken/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [“I am, a shadow that grows longer as the sun moves, drawn out on a thread of wonder. If I bear burdens they begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/i-am-a-shadow-that-grows-longer-as-the-sun-moves-drawn-out-on-a/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [In city, in suburb, in forest, no way to stretch out the arms - so if you would grow, go straight up or deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/in-city-in-suburb-in-forest-no-way-to-stretch-out-the-arms-so-if-you/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [I like to find what's not found at once, but lies within something of another nature, in repose, distinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/i-like-to-find-what-s-not-found-at-once-but-lies-within-something-of/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [There is no savor more sweet, more salt than to be glad to be what, woman, and who, myself, I am...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/there-is-no-savor-more-sweet-more-salt-than-to-be-glad-to-be-what/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [This wild night, gathering the washing as if it were flowers animal vines twisting over theline and slapping my face lightly, soundless merriment in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/this-wild-night-gathering-the-washing-as-if-it-were-flowers-animal/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [The fire in leaf and grass so green it seems each summer the last summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/the-fire-in-leaf-and-grass-so-green-it-seems-each-summer-the-last/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [I see him across the street, the blind man, and now he says he can find his way. He knows where he is going,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/i-see-him-across-the-street-the-blind-man-and-now-he-says-he-can-find/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) [Explore all 110 Denise Levertov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) ## More Certain quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [People don't always realize that a record is forever. It'll always be there under your name. You've got to be certain that it's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/people-don-t-always-realize-that-a-record-is-forever-it-ll-always-be/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order to make certain there's some counter-balance to those whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/i-mean-those-people-who-are-interested-in-good-government-will/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [Why do we love certain homes, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-robsjohn-gibbings/why-do-we-love-certain-homes-and-why-do-they-seem-to-love-us-it-is/) [T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-robsjohn-gibbings/) > [Human life consists of doing certain things ... to take part in the life of the community; to be able to talk about subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/human-life-consists-of-doing-certain-things-to-take-part-in-the-life/) [Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/) > [We've all seen talented young players who get to a certain level but there comes a point where that talent will only take you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-gatland/we-ve-all-seen-talented-young-players-who-get-to-a-certain-level-but/) [Warren Gatland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-gatland/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [I think that at a certain age, say fifteen or sixteen, poetry is like masturbation. But later in life good poets burn their early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/i-think-that-at-a-certain-age-say-fifteen-or-sixteen-poetry-is-like/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [If a person does not listen to the demands of their own spiritual and heart life and insists on a certain program, you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-a-person-does-not-listen-to-the-demands-of-their-own-spiritual-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) [Browse all 13,673 Certain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denise Levertov" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Certain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/denise-levertov-4487_certain_in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-pra_1912963.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.” — Denise Levertov", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Denise Levertov", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In certain ways writing is a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/in-certain-ways-writing-is-a-form-of-prayer/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```