When I found the door
I found the vine leaves
speaking among themselves in abundant
whispers.
My presence made them
hush their green breath,
embarrassed, the way
humans stand up, buttoning their jackets,
acting as if they were leaving anyway, as if
the conversation had ended
just before you arrived.
I liked
the glimpse I had, though,
of their obscure
gestures. I liked the sound
of such private voices. Next time
I’ll move like cautious sunlight, open
the door by fractions, eavesdrop
peacefully.

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

2 Comments

  1. Akeena says:

    Thank you

  2. sameh nour elsayed khalil says:

    The door is defined as it is something she has longed for and has long searched for.the word found gives a feeling that the discovered something which opened her eyes to see the hidden secrets of the world – nature. now,after getting the door,she is a distinguished human ;she could listen to the ‘whispers’ of the ‘vine leaves’.her eyes and her ears were different.she could see the things in their true nature.she could feel the real beauty.
    she also indicates that the human prsence spoils the beauty of the natural scene ;her prsence made the vine leaves embarassed.
    ‘when I found the door’ indicates that this door was hidden. it’snot a material door; it is a spiritual window. this door has no place except in one’s own self.it is only ‘found’ when you reach a state an inner peace and a psychological balance which frees you from any restrictions imposed upon by mundane greeds and self motivations;when you get rid of the hypocricy of behaviour and pride;when you blend ‘nature ‘ with all youe senses,heart, and mind.she says that when one finds his own true beauty, he’ll feel the nature’s true beauty. Elia Abo Mady says :
    Whosoever lacks self beauty,
    Will never see a real beauty.
    و من نفسه بغير جمال لا يرى في الوجود شيئا جميلا
    In this case only,you’ll find ‘the way’ as the the poet.she got th way but as she still doesn’t know this new world, her presence caused an embarassment. Now,she reaces also the true Knowledge and facts.she’ll adhere to these new ‘habits’and ‘laws’;she’ll move like ‘ cautious sunlight’.Thus, beside true knowledge , she acquires true behaviour.

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