Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Putting the Good Things Away" is a poignant reflection on the life of a woman who continuously deferred her own enjoyment and self-care, saving her best belongings for a future that never arrived. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Piercy explores themes of sacrifice, unfulfilled dreams, and the intergenerational transmission of anger and resilience.

The poem begins by describing the meticulous care with which the woman preserved her finest garments: "In the drawer were folded fine / batiste slips embroidered with scrolls / and posies, edged with handmade / lace too good for her to wear." These cherished items, adorned with delicate lace and embroidery, symbolize the beauty and pleasure she denied herself in her daily life.

In stark contrast, her everyday attire consists of "shmattehs / fit only to wash the car / or the windows, rags / that had never been pretty / even when new." The use of "shmattehs," a Yiddish term for rags, underscores the self-neglect and the harsh reality of her existence. These garments represent the practical, utilitarian approach she adopted, reflecting a life constrained by poverty and a lack of self-worth.

Piercy highlights the societal and personal factors contributing to this mindset: "such dresses are sold only / to women without money to waste / on themselves, on pleasure, / to women who hate their bodies, / to women whose lives close on them." The poem connects these women’s choices to broader themes of economic hardship and self-denial, suggesting a deep-seated sense of unworthiness and resignation.

Despite her harsh daily reality, the woman holds onto hope for a better future: "Yet she put the good things away / for the good day that must surely / come, when promises would open / like tulips their satin cups." This imagery of tulips opening symbolizes a long-awaited fulfillment and joy, a moment she believed would eventually come, though it never did.

The poem then shifts to a reflective tone, considering the woman's legacy and the impact of her unfulfilled dreams: "how the mother / gave up and did without / and was in the end crowned / with what? scallions? crowned / queen of the dead place / in the heart where old dreams / whistle on bone flutes." The metaphor of being crowned with scallions, a humble and everyday vegetable, ironically highlights the lack of tangible rewards for her sacrifices. The "dead place in the heart" signifies the area where forgotten dreams and disappointments reside.

Piercy poignantly describes the woman's final appearance: "In the coffin she was beautiful / not because of the undertaker's / garish cosmetics but because / that face at eighty was still / her face at eighteen." This juxtaposition of youth and age emphasizes the enduring spirit and unfulfilled potential that remained within her, even as her body aged.

The poem delves into the complex relationship between the woman and her child, who inherits her anger and resilience: "The anger turned inward, the anger / turned inward, where / could it go except to make pain? / It flowed into me with her milk." This passage reveals how the mother's repressed rage and frustration were passed down, shaping the child's own emotional landscape.

Despite the anger, there is also a deep connection and vulnerability: "She could always wound me / for she knew the secret places. / She could always touch me / for she knew the pressure / points of pleasure and pain. / Our minds were woven together." This intimate bond, filled with both pain and tenderness, underscores the complexity of their relationship.

The poem concludes with the poignant task of sorting through the mother's belongings after her death: "I gave her presents and she hid / them away, wrapped in plastic. / Too good, she said, too good. / I'm saving them. So after her death / I sort them, the ugly things / that were sufficient for every / day and the pretty things for which / no day of hers was ever good enough." This final act of sorting highlights the tragic irony of her life, where the "good" things were never deemed appropriate for any day she lived.

"Putting the Good Things Away" is a deeply moving elegy that captures the essence of a life marked by sacrifice and unfulfilled dreams. Piercy's rich imagery and emotive language paint a vivid picture of the woman's internal and external struggles, offering a poignant commentary on the lasting impact of deferred happiness and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

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