The Secret

Renowned English American poet Denise Levertov (1923-1997) published the lyric riddle poem “The Secret” in O Taste and See: New Poems (1966), one of her early collections. Literary criticism often connects Levertov to the avant-garde Black Mountain poets, but Levertov refused to confine herself to a specific movement, and her poetic output demonstrates how she often transcends labels. She’s written lyrical poems like “The Secret,” confessional poems, Christian poems, and several protest poems that voice her indignation over world events like the Vietnam War or the AIDS epidemic. Though Levertov’s books remain in print and her work is readily accessible, many Levertov supporters feel that her importance has been minimized. “The Secret” is one of her popular poems, confronting ideas about mystery, the meaning of life, and the urgency of the moment.

Poet Biography

Levertov was born on October 24, 1923, in England. Her father identified as a Jewish Christian, and in London, he preached at a church for Jews who believe in Jesus. Levertov and her older sister, Olga, were educated by their parents; they studied a cross-section of literature, including the work of the Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson.