To Speak

To Speak

by Denise Levertov

To speak of sorrow
works upon it
moves it from its
crouched place barring
the way to and from the soul’s hall—
out in the light it
shows clear, whether
shrunken or known as
a giant wrath—
discrete
at least, where before
its great shadow joined
the walls and roof and seemed
to uphold the hall like a beam.

Editor’s note: This poem by Denise Levertov was brought to my attention by friend and colleague Dr. Judy Skeen. The image is part of Ralph Eugene Meatyard’s No Focus series. I believe Denise Levertov is wise counsel on the subject of shadows and the soul’s hall and sorrow and speaking. Stay safe, y’all.