Poetic Divination | Triple Feature

“Triple Feature” by Denise Levertov

Innocent decision: to enjoy.

And the pathos

of hopefulness, of his solicitude:

–he in mended serape,

she having plaited carefully

magenta ribbons into her hair,

the baby a round half-hidden shape

slung in her rebozo, and the young son steadfastly

gripping a fold of her skirt,

pale and severe under a handed-down sombrero —

all regarding

the stills with full attention, preparing

to pay ad go in–

to worlds of shadow-violence, half-

familiar, warm with popcorn, icy

with strange motives, barbarous splendors!