Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s "The Head of the Year" is a contemplative and evocative poem that reflects on the themes of renewal, introspection, and transformation associated with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The poem employs the imagery of the moon to symbolize new beginnings and the cyclical nature of time, while urging a process of self-reflection and forgiveness.

The poem opens with the image of a dark moon: "The moon is dark tonight, a new / moon for a new year. It is / hollow and hungers to be full. / It is the black zero of beginning." This portrayal of the new moon as "hollow" and "hungers to be full" sets the stage for the theme of potential and growth. The "black zero of beginning" signifies a clean slate, an opportunity to start afresh with the new year.

Piercy then shifts to the personal, urging the reader to "void yourself / of injuries, insults, incursions." This call to let go of past grievances and approach those we have hurt to make amends highlights the importance of reconciliation and starting the new year with a clear conscience. The phrase "Go with empty hands to those / you have hurt and make amends" underscores the humility required in seeking forgiveness and repairing relationships.

The poem emphasizes the timeliness of these actions: "It is not too late. It is early / and about to grow." The sense of urgency is paired with hope, suggesting that the new year offers a unique chance for change and improvement. The lines "Now / is the time to do what you / know you must and have feared / to begin" speak to the courage needed to confront difficult truths and take necessary actions for personal growth.

Piercy uses the metaphor of darkness to describe the introspective journey: "Your face is dark / too as you turn inward to face / yourself, the hidden twin of / all you must grow to be." This introspection is framed as facing a "hidden twin," suggesting that understanding and accepting the parts of ourselves we often overlook is crucial for growth. The "dark face" symbolizes the initial discomfort and fear associated with self-examination.

The poem transitions to a theme of forgiveness and forward-looking hope: "Forgive the dead year. Forgive / yourself." This imperative to forgive both the past year and oneself is essential for moving forward unburdened by past mistakes or regrets. Piercy conveys a sense of latent potential with the lines "What will be wants / to push through your fingers. / The light you seek hides / in your belly." This imagery of light within symbolizes inner strength and the capacity for positive change that resides within each person.

The final lines offer an empowering vision of personal transformation: "The light you / crave longs to stream from / your eyes. You are the moon / that will wax in new goodness." By equating the reader with the moon, Piercy suggests that just as the moon waxes and grows, individuals too have the capacity to increase in "new goodness." This hopeful conclusion reinforces the idea that the new year is a time for renewal, growth, and the realization of one's potential.

"The Head of the Year" is a richly layered poem that combines imagery of the natural world with profound insights into human experience. Marge Piercy masterfully uses the symbol of the new moon to illustrate themes of beginning, reflection, and transformation. The poem encourages readers to embrace the opportunities of the new year with a spirit of forgiveness, introspection, and hopeful anticipation for growth and renewal. Through its thoughtful and evocative language, "The Head of the Year" serves as a powerful reminder of the continual cycles of life and the enduring possibility for personal and spiritual rejuvenation.

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