Denise Levertov / The Freeing of the Dust

The Freeing of the Dust

by Denise Levertov
BIOGRAPHY

Unwrap the dust from its mummycloths.
Let Ariel learn
a blessing for Caliban
and Caliban drink dew freom the lotus
open upon the waters.
Bitter the slow
river water: dew
shall  wet his lips with light.
Let the dust
float, the wrappings too
are dust.
              Drift upon the stir
of air, of dark
river: ashes of wat had lived,
                      or seeds
                of ancient sesame,
                     or namelessly
pure dust that is all
in all.              Bless,
weightless Spirit. Drink,
Caliban, push your tongue
heavy into the calyx.



Denise Levertov
"Poems 1972-1982"
New Directions Publishing Corporation, 2001.