A fascinating poem that discusses sorrow is titled "Talking to Grief." In her poem, Denise Levertov depicts the transition of a dog from homelessness to acceptance as the primary member of the family. The first-person narrator emphasizes that before a death occurs, grief must be completely acknowledged and integrated rather than being forced into the background. The author attempts to explore the subject of grief using personification and intriguing imagery. This essay then shall discuss the theme of the poem which is welcoming grief together with other literary devices like personification and imagery.
The theme of this poem is grief and being acquitted and welcoming it. The author through figurative languages all through the poem attempts to show the audience that grief is something that should never be looked down upon. It is not something that is disturbing instead it is a friend that people have to endure at some point in their lives. Grief is not always understood well; however, it is required for healing purposes.
A personification of grief is paramount in presenting the theme of the poem. The utilization of this device shows grief as a commanding presence, the one the author discusses as if she is directly talking to it. Denise gives grief active features to heighten its value and drive in the text. Her metaphor corresponds to the use of personification; there is a comparison of a dog with grief. This offers a wonderful imagery to the audience as the Levertov precisely depicts her opinion on grief and how it shifted from perceiving the feeling like a stray dog, disturbing and weird, to a deserving friend in need of warmth, comfort as well as affection. Personification and metaphor put forward distinctive character and individuality to grief. Furthermore, the author employs striking imagery to support her metaphor. She characterizes grief as “a homeless dog/who comes to the back door/for a crust, for a meatless bone”(2-4). This gives the audience a precise and solid image of the dog characterizes grief and supports the main thesis of the poem.
There is a form of brilliance in this poem that resonates well with the audience, and the imagery helps them in wading though difficult waters of grief. The concept of imagining grief as a dog is a fascinating idea since dogs in most homes are treated as precious companions. Being a homeless dog means that it is deserted although if welcomed it can bring the much-needed companionship and affection.
Peak point of the poem is when the author changes from depicting the dissenting viewpoint of grief to the acknowledgment of grief’s desires. Although she tackles greed in the first two stanzas, she also directs herself stating “I should coax you/into the house….”(6-7). In the final stanza, the author speaks to the grief in a way one would think that she understood grief in and out.
The employment of literary devices like metaphor personification has really helped in delivering the message of the importance of accepting grief. Using the metaphor of dog helps audience in clearing understanding the aim of the poem as dogs are part and parcel of many people’s lives. The poem allows the readers to comprehend the importance of being receptive to grief since they all at some point will have to deal with a loss of a loved one.
Work Cited
Levertov, Denise. "Talking to grief." Life in the Forest (1978).
