SHORT POEMS AND SPIN-OFFS: EMILY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF SURPRISE
by Denise Levertov
Page 16
And the last poem I'll read is very short and it's called "Candlemas." Candlemas is the face that celebrates the infant Jesus being taken to be presented at the temple, and the old Simeon recognizing him as the Messiah.
CANDLEMAS
With certitude,
Simeon opened
ancient arms
to infant light.
Decades
before the cross, the tomb
and the new life,
he knew
new life.
What depth
of faith he drew on,
turning illumined
towards deep night.
