Denise Levertov

Annunciations All the Time

by Jim Manney

My wife disturbed my Advent bliss a couple of days ago when she showed me a poem. I had been sailing along smoothly, humming “Come O Come Emmanuel,” lighting the Advent wreath, and reading Isaiah’s prophecies. Then Susan handed me “Annunciation” by Denise Levertov. These are the lines that troubled my world. Aren’t there annunciations [...]

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Contraband

by Jim Manney

What was the tree in the Garden of Eden all about?  Denise Levertov has an idea. Contraband The tree of knowledge was the tree of reason. That’s why the taste of it drove us from Eden. That fruit was meant to be dried and milled to a fine powder for use a pinch at a [...]

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Gratitude

by Jim Manney

I ran across this poem by Denise Levertov recently while I was doing some writing about Ignatius Loyola’s view of gratitude. It may be July, but it’s pleasant to think about snow.   Praise Wet Snow   Praise wet snow            falling early. Praise the shadow            my neighbor’s chimney casts on the tile roof [...]

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To Live in the Mercy of God

by Jim Manney

To Live in the Mercy of God by Denise Levertov To lie back under the tallest oldest trees. How far the stems rise, rise before ribs of shelter open! To live in the mercy of God. The complete sentence too adequate, has no give. Awe, not comfort. Stone, elbows of stony wood beneath lenient moss [...]

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