To Live In the Mercy Of God by Denise Levertov

        The poem “To Live in the Mercy of God” by Denise Levertov demonstrates the poet’s worthy praise and gratitude of nature; God’s creation. She shows her appreciation and awe through the descriptions of her surroundings such as the trees and how they are created as shelter; “To lie back under the tallest//oldest trees. How far the stems//Rise, rise//before ribs of shelter//open!” The poet is truly admiring the wonderful trees which serve as a source that helps keep us alive. Levertov then expresses how blessed human beings are to live in such splendor. She explores the theme of blessings and nature by intertwining the grandeur and beauty of the forests and also how fortunate we are to have such. This can be highlighted in the lines; “To hear the multiple silence//of trees, the rainy//forest depths of their listening.” I believe the poet is viewing our surroundings as surreal. It is also necessary to note that she continuously mentions God’s mercy. I believe she may be thinking that we are probably undeserving of what we have or that God really loves us, hence the reason why we are provided with nature and its beauty and convenience.

       However the poet is definitely comparing God’s mercy and love towards human beings to how unbelievable nature; trees, rocks, waterfalls, etc. is. In the lines, “To feel vibrate the enraptured//waterfall flinging itself//unabating down and down//to clenched fists of rock.//Swiftness of plunge, //hour after year after century,” The poet is comparing how long-lasting God’s mercy is. Just as the water plunges down from the waterfall to the rock below, for centuries, Levertov believes that God’s mercy and love is so strong it goes on and on without end. This message is obvious in the last lines, “Thus, not mild, not temperate//God’s love for the world. Vast//flood of mercy//flung on resistance.” This basically means that God is extremely merciful, he is able to continuously love man and the world, no matter what. Throughout the poem Levertov’s powerful description of how nature is so strong and is able to replenish itself is also her way of symbolizing how affectionate and compassionate God is towards mankind.