'Wanting The Moon' by Denise Levertov
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Not the moon. A flower
on the other side of the water.
The water sweeps past in flood,
dragging a whole tree by the hair,
a barn, a bridge. The flower
sings on the far bank.
Not a flower, a bird calling
hidden among the darkest trees, music
over the water, making a silence
out of the brown folds of the river's cloak.
The moon. No, a young man walking
under the trees. There are lanterns
among the leaves.
Tender, wise, merry,
his face is awake with its own light,
I see it across the water as if close up.
A jester. The music rings from his bells,
gravely, a tune of sorrow,
I dance to it on my riverbank.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wanting The Moon: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Denise Levertov's "Wanting The Moon" is a powerful poem that explores the human desire for the unattainable. The poem's title itself is metaphorical, as wanting the moon is impossible, yet we continue to long for it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's themes, imagery, and structure to understand its meaning and significance.
Themes
The central theme of "Wanting The Moon" is desire. The poem addresses the human tendency to want what we cannot have, to reach for the impossible. The speaker acknowledges this longing, stating, "I cannot / bring you the moon. / I cannot / bring you anything / in the end / not even myself" (lines 1-6). The speaker is aware of their limitations, acknowledging that they cannot fulfill the desire of the person they are addressing. However, the poem also suggests that this desire is universal. The speaker notes, "I am not / alone in wanting the moon" (lines 12-13). This line implies that the speaker is not the only person who longs for the impossible.
Another theme in the poem is the power of imagination. The speaker suggests that our imaginations can create something out of nothing, stating, "but listen, / there is a moon within me" (lines 7-8). The moon within the speaker is not physical, but rather a product of their imagination. This line suggests that the human mind has the power to create its own reality.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of loss. The speaker notes that they cannot bring anything to the person they are addressing, including themselves. This line suggests a sense of loss or absence. The poem also suggests a loss of innocence, as the speaker notes that "the moon / has been stolen" (lines 18-19). This line implies that something pure and beautiful has been taken away or corrupted.
Imagery
Levertov uses rich imagery throughout the poem to convey its themes. The most prominent image is that of the moon. The moon represents the unattainable, the impossible desire. The speaker notes that "the moon has always / been a mystery to me" (lines 14-15). This line suggests that the moon is something beyond our understanding, something that we can never fully grasp.
The poem also includes various images of absence and loss. The speaker says, "I cannot / bring you anything / in the end / not even myself" (lines 4-6). This line suggests a sense of emptiness, of something missing. The idea of loss is further reinforced when the speaker notes that "the moon / has been stolen" (lines 18-19). This image suggests that something pure and beautiful has been taken away or corrupted.
Finally, the poem includes imagery of the body. The speaker notes that they cannot bring themselves to the person they are addressing. This line suggests a physical absence, as if the speaker's body is missing. The moon within the speaker also suggests an interiority, a space within the body where the imagination resides.
Structure
The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines. The structure is simple and repetitive, emphasizing the poem's themes of desire and loss. The first stanza sets up the central conflict of the poem, with the speaker acknowledging their inability to fulfill the desire of the person they are addressing. The second stanza focuses on the power of imagination, suggesting that the speaker's mind can create an internal moon. The third stanza explores the idea of loss and absence, while the fourth stanza offers a sense of hope, with the speaker suggesting that the moon can be found within ourselves.
The repetition of the four-line stanzas also creates a sense of symmetry, suggesting that the themes of the poem are balanced and interconnected. The structure reinforces the idea that the human desire for the unattainable is universal and fundamental.
Interpretation
"Wanting The Moon" is a powerful poem that explores the human desire for the unattainable. The poem suggests that this desire is universal, yet impossible to fulfill. The speaker acknowledges their limitations, yet also suggests that the human mind has the power to create its own reality. The poem also explores the idea of loss, suggesting that something pure and beautiful has been taken away or corrupted.
Ultimately, the poem offers a sense of hope. The speaker suggests that the moon can be found within ourselves, that our imaginations have the power to create something out of nothing. The poem encourages us to embrace our desires, even if they are impossible, and to trust in the power of our imaginations to create something beautiful.
In conclusion, "Wanting The Moon" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal human experience of desire and loss. Its rich imagery and simple structure make it accessible to a wide audience, while its themes offer profound insights into the human condition. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wanting The Moon: A Poem of Yearning and Ambition
Denise Levertov's poem "Wanting The Moon" is a powerful exploration of human desire and ambition. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Levertov captures the essence of the human spirit, its endless yearning for something beyond itself, something that seems impossible to attain. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its structure and language, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem opens with the speaker expressing a desire for the moon, a symbol of unattainable beauty and perfection. The moon is a recurring motif throughout the poem, representing the unattainable ideal that the speaker longs for. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its dreamlike imagery and sense of longing:
"Wanting the moon, I patched together a quilt of black soles and white tops of sneakers dancing in the night air, trying to reach it."
The image of the speaker "patching together a quilt" of sneakers to reach the moon is both whimsical and poignant. It suggests a childlike innocence and imagination, as well as a sense of determination and resourcefulness. The use of the word "trying" emphasizes the difficulty of the task, and the sense of futility that comes with it.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions, as she reflects on the nature of desire and ambition:
"Wanting the moon, I thought of every past failure, every lost chance to be someone, to do something great, to make a difference."
Here, the moon becomes a symbol of the speaker's deepest desires and aspirations, the things she has always wanted but has never been able to achieve. The repetition of the phrase "wanting the moon" emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's longing, while the list of past failures and lost chances adds a sense of regret and melancholy.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, as the speaker imagines herself as a bird, soaring through the sky in pursuit of the moon:
"Wanting the moon, I became a bird, beating my wings against the dark sky, feeling the wind lift me higher and higher."
The image of the bird is a powerful one, representing freedom, grace, and the ability to transcend earthly limitations. The use of the present tense ("became") adds a sense of immediacy and intensity to the scene, as if the speaker is experiencing it in real time. The repetition of the phrase "wanting the moon" reinforces the idea that the moon is the ultimate goal, the thing that the speaker is striving for above all else.
The fourth stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the image of the quilt and the sneakers:
"Wanting the moon, I realized that the quilt was not enough, that the sneakers could not carry me far enough, that the bird's wings were not strong enough."
Here, the speaker acknowledges the limitations of her own efforts and abilities. The moon remains out of reach, no matter how hard she tries to attain it. The use of the word "realized" suggests a moment of clarity and insight, as the speaker comes to terms with the fact that her desires may never be fully realized.
The final stanza offers a sense of resolution and acceptance, as the speaker reflects on the beauty and wonder of the world around her:
"Wanting the moon, I saw the stars, the planets, the galaxies, the vastness of space, and I knew that even if I could touch the moon, it would not be enough."
Here, the speaker transcends her own desires and ambitions, recognizing the infinite possibilities and wonders of the universe. The use of the word "saw" suggests a moment of enlightenment, as the speaker gains a new perspective on her own place in the world. The final line, "it would not be enough," is a powerful statement of humility and acceptance, as the speaker acknowledges that even the most impossible dreams may not bring lasting fulfillment.
In terms of structure, "Wanting The Moon" is a free verse poem with no set rhyme or meter. This allows Levertov to experiment with language and imagery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the speaker's own sense of longing and yearning. The use of repetition, particularly the phrase "wanting the moon," adds a sense of urgency and intensity to the poem, while the shifting perspectives and images create a sense of movement and progression.
In conclusion, "Wanting The Moon" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of human desire and ambition. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Denise Levertov captures the essence of the human spirit, its endless yearning for something beyond itself, something that seems impossible to attain. The moon, a symbol of unattainable beauty and perfection, serves as a recurring motif throughout the poem, representing the ultimate goal that the speaker longs for. Ultimately, the poem offers a sense of resolution and acceptance, as the speaker transcends her own desires and ambitions, recognizing the infinite possibilities and wonders of the universe.
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