What lies at the end of enticingcountry driveways, curvingoff among trees? Often onlya car graveyard, a house-trailer,a trashy bungalow. But this one,for once, brings youthrough the shade of its green tunnelto a paradise of cedars, of lawns mown but not too closelyof iris, moss, fern, rivers of stone roundedby sea or stream,of a wooden unassertive large-windowed house.The big trees enclosean expanse of sky, trees, and skytogether protect the clearing. One is sheltered herefrom the assaultive worldas if escaped from it, and yetonce arrived, is given (oneselfand others being a part of that world)a generous welcome.It's paradiseas a paradigm for howto live on earth,how to be private and openquiet and richly eloquent.Everything man-made here was truly made by the handsof those who live here, of thosewho live with what they have made.It took time, and is growing stillbecause it's alive.It is paradise, and paradiseis a kind of poem; it hasa poem's characteristics:inspiration; starting with the given;unexpected harmonies; revelations.It's rare among the worlds one findsat the end of enticing driveways.Denise LevertovThis Great Unknowing: Last Poems
5 comments:
I liked this poem when I read it on the Jan 10th Writer's Almanac (maybe where you saw it?) I really like the photo you put with it. Also, I thought of you today when I was listening to the Kojo Nnamdi show, which was discussing DC architecture with Roger Lewis http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-01-13/shaping-city-roger-lewis
I particularly enjoyed his statement about the beauty of space between some buildings... and that being as important as the "fabric of the buildings". Put me in mind of my son telling me once when I suggested he put artwork above his sofa (the wall was completely blank): "Mom, you don't know the importance of white space." I do know... and value the importance of the spaces between... and moving toward... up the driveway. I enjoyed your sharing.
Renee,
THANK YOU for your thoughtful comment; I'll check out this link, and tell your son how brilliant he is.
Marilyn
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Beneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!
This is beautiful! Wow.
I come here via Facebook, through a friend I've never met in "real" life, who linked to you through her local NPR station.
I so love the circuitous routes of connection through the internets. Great to "meet" you. I live in Washington DC, a place that is very dear to me, in spite of its strange energy.
Very cool!
Post a Comment