Now here's a thing. Some time last year I went looking for this wee book. It's a special little thing, fewer than 70 small pages, less than 30 pages. But I've read it and re-read it. I know some of the poems by heart. But could I find it?
Earlier this year I renovated the study and took every book out of it, and still no sign of Levertov's little gem of a book.
Then, just over a week ago I went to the University Library for the first time in over a year. I took out my wee satchel thing I use for such visits, and in one of the zip pockets there was my wee book!
Today looking for something else by Levertov there are copies of this 70 page book for £41.83 on Amazon - glad I found my copy!
Here is one of her finest poems from the volume:
For the New Year, 1981
by Denise Levertov
I have a small grain of hope–
one small crystal that gleams
clear colours out of transparency.
I need more.
I break off a fragment
to send to you.
Please take
this grain of a grain of hope
so that mine won’t shrink.
Please share your fragment
so that yours will grow.
Only so, by division,
will hope increase,
like a clump of irises, which will cease to flower
unless you distribute
the clustered roots, unlikely source–
clumsy and earth-covered–
of grace.
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