February Evening in New York

By Denise Levertov 1923–1997 Denise Levertov

As the stores close, a winter light

opens air to iris blue,

glint of frost through the smoke

grains of mica, salt of the sidewalk.

As the buildings close, released autonomous

feet pattern the streets

in hurry and stroll; balloon heads

drift and dive above them; the bodies

aren't really there.

As the lights brighten, as the sky darkens,

a woman with crooked heels says to another woman

while they step along at a fair pace,

"You know, I'm telling you, what I love best

is life. I love life! Even if I ever get

to be old and wheezy—or limp! You know?

Limping along?—I'd still ... " Out of hearing.

To the multiple disordered tones

of gears changing, a dance

to the compass points, out, four-way river.

Prospect of sky

wedged into avenues, left at the ends of streets,

west sky, east sky: more life tonight! A range

of open time at winter's outskirts.

Denise Levertov, “February Evening in New York” 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: Collected Earlier Poems 1940-1960 (1979)

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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