Denise Levertov: A Clearing
What lies at the end of enticing
country driveways, curving
off among trees? Often only
a car graveyard, a house-trailer,
a trashy bungalow. But this one,
for once, brings you
through the shade of its green tunnel
to a paradise of cedars,
of lawns mown but not too closely,
of iris, moss, fern, rivers of stone rounded
by sea or stream,
of a wooden unassertive large-windowed house.
The big trees enclose
an expanse of sky, trees and sky
together protect the clearing.
One is sheltered here
from the assaultive world
as if escaped from it, and yet
once arrived, is given (oneself
and others being a part of that world)
a generous welcome.
It's paradise
as a paradigm for how
to live on earth,
how to be private and open
quiet and richly eloquent.
Everything man-made here
was truly made by the hands
of those who live here, of those
who live with what they have made.
It took time, and is growing still
because it's alive.
It is paradise, and paradise
is a kind of poem; it has
a poem's characteristics:
inspiration; starting with the given;
unexpected harmonies; revelations.
It's rare among
the worlds one finds
at the end of enticing driveways.
Discussion Questions
What details do you notice in “A Clearing”?
When have you had the experience of reality exceeding expectation? What did it look like?
What expectations do you have for this year?
Reflections from #MedHumChat
“The green tunnel leading to the grove of cedars is particularly captivating, lending an excitement to what we might find hidden. I love the idea of paradise being a paradigm for living in the world. It is also a way of reading what we see, in people and in nature.” —@epinborough
““Happiness is a place between too much and too little.” ~ Finnish proverb.” —@MichaeliLaura
“I think Twitter exceeded my expectations. I have learned so much, have grown so much, have met wonderful people, found a community, friends and so much solace throughout the past year. I had only thought of it as a tool for advocacy. It's been so much more.” —@OdyO11
“I want to and expect to be "growing still/because [I'm] alive." —@ysaralee
About this #MedHumChat
“A Clearing” was paired with “Work, Sometimes,” a poem by Mary Oliver for a #MedHumChat discussion on March 17, 2021 on Expectations.
The pieces for this chat, as well as the discussion questions, were curated by Rebecca Omlor (@BeccaOm15).
About the Author
Denise Levertov (1923 - 1997) was a renowned poet whose vast body of work covered topics ranging from nature to politics to faith.