Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem "The Thief" is a vivid and empathetic portrait of Sonka the Golden Hand, a notorious thief from Odessa, captured in a moment of history through a postcard sent by the speaker’s friend Dina. Through rich imagery and poignant reflection, Piercy delves into the motivations and circumstances that drive Sonka, exploring themes of desire, poverty, and the longing for freedom.

The poem begins with a simple act of communication: "Dina sent me a postcard, / history at a glance." This postcard serves as a window into the past, focusing on "Sonka of the golden hand, / the notorious thief / being put in chains." The imagery of chains immediately sets a somber tone, indicating the loss of freedom and the harsh consequences of Sonka’s actions. The historical context of 1915, surrounded by "Russian men," "blacksmiths preparing / the chains," and "three soldiers / to guard her," emphasizes the severity of her situation and the male-dominated world in which she operated.

Piercy paints Sonka as a figure of both agility and grace: "she could / move faster than water / as quiet as a leaf growing / more lightly than a shaft / of sun tapping your arm." These comparisons highlight her skill and the almost ethereal quality of her movements, suggesting a natural talent for evading capture. This depiction contrasts sharply with the image of her in chains, underscoring the tragedy of her confinement.

The poem delves into Sonka's inner world, portraying her as "full of desires / little hot pomegranate seeds / bursting in her womb." This metaphor conveys the intensity and urgency of her longings, driven by "wishes crying from the dull / mirror of poverty." Piercy connects Sonka’s thievery to her dreams of transforming stolen coins into objects of warmth and comfort: "turn me into something sweet / turn me into something warm and soft / a cashmere shawl, a silk mantilla / a coat of fur like a bed of loving." These desires reflect a deep yearning for beauty and security, elements starkly absent in her life of poverty.

The voices Sonka hears from the coins, "take me, Sonka, take me," personify her temptations and the allure of the wealth she seeks. The items calling to her—chicken, brandy, blouse—are mundane yet luxurious in the context of her deprivation, symbolizing the basic and the extravagant needs and desires she longs to fulfill.

The poem’s concluding image is poignant and powerful: "Sonka of the golden hands / stands in the grim yard / of the prison, with her quick / hands bound in iron bracelets." The contrast between her "golden hands" and the "iron bracelets" highlights the cruel irony of her situation. Her "solemn eyes" implore for release, capturing a sense of enduring defiance and hope. The final lines, "free me to dance again / as I freed / those captured coins," transform her act of theft into a form of liberation, suggesting that her stealing was a way to release the potential trapped within the coins, just as she now seeks release from her physical chains.

"The Thief" is a masterful blend of historical narrative and lyrical empathy. Piercy brings Sonka the Golden Hand to life, not merely as a criminal, but as a complex individual driven by intense desires and forced into a life of crime by her circumstances. Through the lens of this singular figure, Piercy explores broader themes of freedom, poverty, and the human yearning for a better life. The poem invites readers to see beyond the label of "thief" and understand the deeper motivations and humanity of Sonka, making her story resonate with contemporary struggles and aspirations.

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