Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Pop-Sicle" poignantly captures the instability and emotional turmoil of a young girl's life through the lens of her relationship with her hamster, Herbie. The poem reflects on themes of loss, displacement, and the struggle for stability and love in a world marked by constant upheaval.

The poem begins with a depiction of Martina’s life before the disruptions: "Martina had a mama, Anna-Lisa and a papa and a house on the corner of the block with a birch tree and Herbie the Hamster." This introduction paints a picture of a seemingly stable and happy family environment, complete with a pet that brings Martina comfort and companionship.

Herbie the Hamster becomes a central figure in Martina's life: "Herbie let her carry him in her blouse and never bit her, although his claws were pins sticking her." This relationship highlights the innocence and simplicity of a child's bond with a pet, offering a stark contrast to the more complex and painful relationships with the adults in her life.

The poem shifts to a more chaotic and distressing atmosphere: "When her papa yelled, Herbie would wake too and scrabble in his cage. His beady eyes looked at her without a moment's anger and never swelled with tears like her mama's." Herbie’s presence provides a sense of stability and unconditional acceptance, unlike the volatile emotions of her parents. The image of Herbie's calm, unjudging eyes contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil that Martina witnesses in her parents.

The poem then details the fracturing of Martina’s family: "Papa would pull on her and then Mama would pull on her. Then Mama took her to Grandma." This tug-of-war imagery signifies Martina's emotional and physical dislocation as she is pulled between her parents, ultimately leading to her relocation with her mother to her grandmother's house.

Herbie’s death soon after their move adds another layer of loss: "A week after they moved into Mama's old room, Herbie died. Mama put him in a box in the freezer till the ground thawed." Herbie's death symbolizes the end of Martina's last piece of stability and her connection to her previous life. The act of putting Herbie in the freezer suggests an attempt to preserve something dear amid the flux of their lives.

As they continue to move from place to place, Herbie's frozen body remains a constant: "They moved to a yellow brick building. Anna-Lisa got sick and lost the job. They lived with Mama's boyfriend Carl and then back to sour Grandma and then to new boyfriend Jerry. Herbie goes along in his box." Herbie’s presence in the freezer represents Martina’s refusal to let go of her past and her desperate need for some form of continuity.

The repetition of seasonal cycles—"Spring has come and gone and come and gone four times"—emphasizes the passage of time and the persistent instability in Martina’s life. Despite the changing seasons, Martina clings to Herbie, reflecting her struggle to find a sense of belonging and permanence: "Martina will not give Herbie to the embrace of somebody else's earth."

The poem ends with Martina's defiance and sorrow: "He is her lost love, her cropped roots as they move from one man's apartment to another man's house. They are not fathers. Martina glares at the men from slitted eyes. Herbie's still frozen." Martina’s anger towards the transient father figures in her life and her determination to keep Herbie frozen illustrate her deep-seated resistance to change and her unresolved grief.

"Pop-Sicle" by Marge Piercy is a deeply moving exploration of a child's resilience and longing for stability amid familial upheaval. Through the metaphor of Herbie the Hamster and the repeated relocations, Piercy captures the emotional landscape of a young girl navigating loss, displacement, and the search for a sense of home. The poem’s vivid imagery and emotional depth highlight the enduring impact of childhood experiences on one's sense of identity and belonging.

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