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Denise Levertov Quotes

Poet

Denise Levertov was an American poet known for her profound personal expression and commitment to social justice. Her poetry blended personal emotion with deep insight into the world, characterized by its unique style and emotional richness.

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All Knows World Light Night Way Writing Poet Tree Breathing Green Kind Mind Prayer Stills Water White Breathe Eye Faces Heart

Famous Denise Levertov Quotes

“Writing poetry is a process of discovery...you can smell the poem before you see it....Like some animal.”

Writing Process Animal Discovery Smell Poetry Is Writing Poetry

Author:Denise Levertov

“One of the obligations of the writer is to say or sing all that he or she can, to deal with as much of the world as becomes possible to him or her in language.”

World Writing Language Deals Obligation

Book:The poet in the world

Source: The poet in the world

“When you're really caught up in writing a poem, it can be a form of prayer. I'm not very good at praying, but what I experience when I'm writing a poem is close to prayer. I feel it in different degrees and not with every poem. But in certain ways writing is a form of prayer.”

Way Feels Writing Different Form Certain Prayer Praying Degrees Very Good Caught Caught Up

Author:Denise Levertov

“In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.”

Way Writing Form Certain Prayer Healing

Author:Denise Levertov

“I'm not very good at praying, but what I experience when I'm writing a poem is close to prayer.”

Writing Prayer Praying Very Good

Author:Denise Levertov

“A poet articulating the dreads and horrors of our time is necessary in order to make readers understand what is happening, really understand it, not just know about it but feel it: and should be accompanied by a willingness on the part of those who write it to take additional action towards stopping the great miseries which they record.”

Knows Feels Should Writing Action Order Records Poet Reader Horror Happenings Misery Our Time Willingness Dread Stopping Articulating

Book:New & Selected Essays

Source: New & Selected Essays

About the Author

Born: October 24, 1923
Died: December 20, 1997
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 86

Books & Sources

Poems of Denise Levertov, 1960-1967Related source material

Selected poemsRelated source material

The poet in the worldRelated source material

Making PeaceRelated source material

New & Selected EssaysRelated source material

The Sorrow Dance: PoemsRelated source material

Breathing the WaterRelated source material

Conversations with Denise LevertovRelated source material

Evening TrainRelated source material

Light Up the CaveRelated source material

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