The Springtime

By Denise Levertov 1923–1997 Denise Levertov

The red eyes of rabbits

aren't sad. No one passes

the sad golden village in a barge

any more. The sunset

will leave it alone. If the

curtains hang askew

it is no one's fault.

Around and around and around

everywhere the same sound

of wheels going, and things

growing older, growing

silent. If the dogs

bark to each other

all night, and their eyes

flash red, that's

nobody's business. They have

a great space of dark to

bark across. The rabbits

will bare their teeth at

the spring moon.

Denise Levertov, “The Springtime” from Collected Earlier Poems 1940-1960. Copyright © 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1979 by Denise Levertov. Reprinted with the permission of New Directions Publishing Corporation, www.wwnorton.com/nd/welcome.htm.

Source: The Jacob's Ladder (1961)

Biography

During the course of a prolific career, Denise Levertov created a highly regarded body of poetry that reflects her beliefs as an artist and a humanist. Her work embraces a wide variety of genres and themes, including nature lyrics, love poems, protest poetry, and poetry inspired by her faith in God. "Dignity, reverence, and strength are words that come to mind as one gropes to characterize . . . one of America's most respected . . .

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