The fire in leaf and grass
so green it seems
each summer the last summer.

The wind blowing, the leaves
shivering in the sun,
each day the last day.

A red salamander
so cold and so
easy to catch, dreamily

moves his delicate feet
and long tail. I hold
my hand open for him to go.

Each minute the last minute.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Denise Levertov's poem Living

2 Comments

  1. Joseph says:

    There is a generosity in releasing the salamander.

  2. LKMarshall says:

    Carpe diem! Live every day as if it were your last. Live fully, richly, without hesitation. Leap in feet first, or dive in head first, splashing and laughing! Easy to say, isn’t it! lkm

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