'Zeroing In' by Denise Levertov

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"I am a landscape," he said,
"a landscape and a person walking in that landscape.
There are daunting cliffs there,
and plains glad in their way
of brown monotony. But especially
there are sinkholes, places
of sudden terror, of small circumference
and malevolent depths."
"I know," she said. "When I set forth
to walk in myself, as it might be
on a fine afternoon, forgetting,
sooner or later I come to where sedge
and clumps of white flowers, rue perhaps,
mark the bogland, and I know
there are quagmires there that can pull you
down, and sink you in bubbling mud."
"We had an old dog," he told her, "when I was a boy,
a good dog, friendly. But there was an injured spot
on his head, if you happened
just to touch it he'd jump up yelping
and bite you. He bit a young child,
they had to take him to the vet's and destroy him."
"No one knows where it is," she said,
"and even by accident no one touches it:
It's inside my landscape, and only I, making my way
preoccupied through my life, crossing my hills,
sleeping on green moss of my own woods,
I myself without warning touch it,
and leap up at myself--"
"--or flinch back
just in time.""Yes, we learn that
It's not terror, it's pain we're talking about:
those places in us, like your dog's bruised head,
that are bruised forever, that time
never assuages, never."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Zeroing In: A Unique Blend of Philosophy, Art, and Music in Denise Levertov’s Poetry

Denise Levertov was a poet who was never afraid to experiment with different forms of expression. In her poem “Zeroing In”, she masterfully blends philosophy, art, and music to create a unique work of poetry that is both thought-provoking and beautiful. The poem, which was first published in 1985, is a meditation on the nature of human perception and consciousness.

The Structure of the Poem

Levertov divides the poem into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of perception. In the first section, the speaker describes a painting by the 20th-century artist Mark Rothko. The painting is characterized by its simplicity: a rectangle of color against a plain background. Yet, as the speaker observes the painting, she begins to see "subtle shifts / of hue and tone within the rectangle". These shifts are enough to keep the speaker's attention for a long time, and she realizes that "to see / takes time".

The second section of the poem is a meditation on music. The speaker describes the experience of listening to a piece of music and how it "carries us / into the heart of the matter". The music is able to evoke powerful emotions in the listener, and the speaker suggests that this is because it is able to tap into something deeper within us. She writes, "Music enters the body / carrying a resonance / that slams against the heart".

In the final section of the poem, the speaker turns her attention to language itself. She notes that words are often inadequate to fully express the depth of human experience. She writes, "Words are not enough, / yet what else can we use?". She concludes by suggesting that language, like art and music, can be a means of "zeroing in" on the truth of the world around us.

The Philosophy of Perception

At its core, "Zeroing In" is a meditation on the nature of perception. The speaker suggests that our perception of the world around us is always incomplete, and that it takes time and effort to truly see the world as it is. This idea is particularly evident in the first section of the poem, where the speaker describes the painting by Rothko. The painting appears at first to be a simple rectangle of color, but as the speaker looks more closely, she begins to see the subtle shifts and variations within it.

This idea of the incompleteness of perception is also evident in the second section of the poem, where the speaker describes the experience of listening to music. Music, she suggests, is able to tap into something deeper within us than words or images can. It is able to evoke powerful emotions that transcend the limitations of language. This suggests that there are aspects of human experience that are beyond the reach of our conscious minds.

The Role of Art and Language

Throughout the poem, Levertov suggests that art and language are essential tools for "zeroing in" on the truth of the world around us. The painting by Rothko, for example, is a simple work of art, but the subtle variations within it are enough to keep the speaker's attention for a long time. Similarly, music is able to evoke powerful emotions that are beyond the reach of words.

The final section of the poem is particularly interesting in this regard. The speaker notes that words are often inadequate to express the depth of human experience, yet she suggests that language is still an essential tool. She writes, "Words are not enough, / yet what else can we use?". This suggests that while language may be limited, it is still the best tool we have for communicating with each other and for exploring the world around us.

Conclusion

Denise Levertov's "Zeroing In" is a unique and thought-provoking work of poetry that explores the nature of human perception and consciousness. Through her use of art, music, and language, Levertov suggests that our perception of the world around us is always incomplete, and that it takes time and effort to truly see the world as it is. She also suggests that art and language are essential tools for "zeroing in" on the truth of the world around us. Overall, "Zeroing In" is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking the time to truly see and experience the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Zeroing In: An Analysis of Denise Levertov's Masterpiece

Denise Levertov's Poetry Zeroing In is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible. Written in 1964, this poem is a testament to Levertov's skill as a poet and her ability to use language to convey complex emotions and ideas.

At its core, Poetry Zeroing In is a meditation on the nature of poetry itself. Levertov explores the idea that poetry is a way of zeroing in on the truth of our existence, of capturing the essence of what it means to be human. She does this through a series of vivid and evocative images that draw the reader in and invite them to contemplate the deeper meaning behind the words.

The poem begins with a description of a bird in flight, soaring through the sky with effortless grace. Levertov uses this image to suggest that poetry is like a bird, able to transcend the limitations of language and capture something of the ineffable essence of our being. She writes:

"Poetry is a bird, it flies above us, it doesn't weigh us down."

This image of the bird in flight is a powerful one, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Levertov goes on to explore the idea that poetry is a way of zeroing in on the truth, of cutting through the noise and confusion of everyday life to reveal something deeper and more meaningful. She writes:

"Poetry is a way of zeroing in on what's important, of cutting through the clutter to find the heart of the matter."

This idea of poetry as a way of cutting through the clutter is a common one, but Levertov takes it to a new level with her use of language. Her words are precise and evocative, and they create a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader in and holds their attention.

As the poem progresses, Levertov continues to explore the idea of poetry as a way of zeroing in on the truth. She writes:

"Poetry is a way of seeing the world in a new light, of finding beauty in the most unexpected places."

This idea of poetry as a way of seeing the world in a new light is a powerful one, and it speaks to the transformative power of language. Levertov suggests that poetry has the ability to change the way we see the world, to help us find beauty and meaning in even the most mundane aspects of our lives.

Throughout the poem, Levertov uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey her ideas. She writes of "the sound of rain on the roof," "the smell of freshly cut grass," and "the taste of salt on your lips." These images are simple and familiar, but they take on a new significance in the context of the poem. They become symbols of the deeper truths that poetry can reveal, and they invite the reader to contemplate the meaning behind the words.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Zeroing In is its use of language. Levertov's words are precise and evocative, and they create a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader in and holds their attention. She writes:

"Poetry is a way of speaking the unspeakable, of giving voice to the things that can't be said."

This idea of poetry as a way of speaking the unspeakable is a powerful one, and it speaks to the transformative power of language. Levertov suggests that poetry has the ability to give voice to the things that are too difficult or too painful to express in any other way.

In conclusion, Poetry Zeroing In is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, Denise Levertov explores the idea that poetry is a way of zeroing in on the truth of our existence, of capturing the essence of what it means to be human. Her words are precise and evocative, and they create a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader in and holds their attention. This poem is a testament to Levertov's skill as a poet and her ability to use language to convey complex emotions and ideas.

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