Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s "Black Mountain" is a poignant and evocative tribute to the Jews who participated in the French resistance, fighting against the Germans in the mountainous region south of Lacaune. Through vivid imagery and reflections on historical memory, Piercy honors the courage and defiance of these resistance fighters, capturing both the brutality of their struggle and the enduring significance of their actions.

The poem opens with the description of Montagne Noire, where "immense black slugs" creep under the beech trees, symbolizing the pervasive and consuming presence of war. These slugs, "the size and pattern of blown truck tires exploded by the superhighway," are an ominous and monstrous presence, mirroring the destructive forces the resistance fighters opposed. The slugs’ "glossy and glittering backs" that consume "leaves, whole flowers" in three bites evoke the relentless consumption and destruction characteristic of war.

Piercy contrasts the natural setting with the historical significance of the battlefield, emphasizing the indifference of nature to human suffering: "Battlefields are like any other fields; a forest where men and women fought tanks with sten guns houses as many owl and rabbit and deer as the next hill where nothing's happened since the Romans passed by." This juxtaposition highlights the stark reality that, despite the profound human events that took place, nature continues its cycle, indifferent to the past.

The speaker’s journey to the site is marked by reverence and reflection: "Yet I have come without hesitation through the maze of lumbering roads to this spot where the small marker tells us we have reached a destination." This pilgrimage underscores the importance of remembering and honoring the resistance fighters who fought and died in this place. The contemplation of a preferable death in combat, rather than as a helpless victim, reflects the resistance fighters' desire for agency and dignity: "Better to get off one good shot. Better to remember trains derailed, turntables wrecked with plastique, raids on the munitions dump. Better to die with a gun in your hand you chose to pick up and had time to shoot."

Piercy’s meditation on the acts of defiance and justice elevates these actions to a sacred level: "Blessed only is the act. The act of defiance, the act of justice that fills the mouth with blood." This sanctification of defiant acts underscores the profound significance of the resistance fighters' struggle against the oppressive forces they faced. The speaker's declaration that "Memory is the simplest form of prayer" emphasizes the essential role of remembrance in honoring the sacrifices made by these fighters.

The poem concludes with a powerful reflection on the enduring legacy of the resistance fighters: "Today you glow like warm precious lumps of amber in my mind." The imagery of amber, known for its ability to preserve and protect, symbolizes the lasting impact of the resistance fighters' bravery and the importance of keeping their memory alive.

In "Black Mountain," Marge Piercy pays a heartfelt tribute to the Jews in the French resistance, capturing the essence of their courage and the significance of their struggle. Through vivid imagery and profound reflections on memory and defiance, Piercy honors the resistance fighters’ sacrifices and ensures that their legacy continues to inspire and resonate. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring importance of remembering and honoring those who fought for justice and freedom.

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