Limpy Lives of New York

There is much to be identified, if we were just pay more attention to our surroundings. That is the message presented by Denise Levertov in her poem, “February Evening in New York.”If we only pay attention, we could see the among of working disabilities within our neighborhood. 

One such imagery comes with the idea of "glint of frost through the smoke". When does frost ever accompany smoke? Oh wait, when there is factories and industries. The image of the Mother Nature lies in the frost, because that is the nature occurrence of life. As can also been seen in the sentence of "As the lights brighten, as the sky darkens". What else lights up when the natural occurrence of the sky to turn dark happens? Artificial, florescent, light bulbs. 

There is much irony in the New York City that is presented by Levertov. One that isn't filled with glamor and glory, but one that is consistently denial towards the patterns of life. 

Another worthy of notation, is the description Levertov uses on the people of New York City. Calling them people with "balloon heads" with that has bodies that "aren't really there." The balloon headed persons walking down the streets, with minuscule bodies that is incapable of interactions and intimacy. Only a massive head that can possibly account for intellectual communication. 

Except. These heads are filled instead of airs and dust, full of nothing. These people also walked on "crooked heels", that proves to be nothing but painful. These people aren't sensible. Especially since the imagery implies that their bodies are already so tiny, serving nothing to support their balloon heads, and yet, still wears heels that are crooked. 

The image shown of New York, is dysfunctional. With our man-made lights and our disabled, limpy, body proportions.