Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s poem "Greedy Baby" juxtaposes the intimate, nurturing act of breastfeeding with the brutal realities of war and violence, creating a powerful commentary on the fragility of innocence and the pervasive nature of violence. Through vivid imagery and a shift in tone, the poem explores the primal bond between mother and child, while also confronting the darker aspects of human existence that threaten this bond.

The poem begins with a tender and sensory-rich depiction of breastfeeding. The "Greedy baby" is described as "sucking the sweet tit," and the detailed focus on the physical sensations—the baby’s "tongue tugging the nipple," the tickling effect on the mother—creates an intimate and almost sacred atmosphere. The baby's "round eyes open appear to possess understanding," suggesting a deep connection between mother and child, as if the baby, in its most vulnerable state, comprehends something profound about the act of feeding and the bond it signifies.

Ostriker's choice of words, such as "slowly moved" and "sensitive groove," conveys the emotional and physical response of the mother. The phrase "you in your mouth are alive, I in my womb" connects the baby’s act of suckling with the mother's sense of being, highlighting the deep, almost symbiotic relationship between them. The mother's experience is not just one of nurturing, but also of being profoundly affected by the life she is sustaining. This connection is further emphasized when the mother, despite holding a book in her lap, is too absorbed in the moment to truly focus on reading—indicating that the act of breastfeeding transcends ordinary activities, becoming a meditative and all-consuming experience.

The scene becomes even more tender when the baby, "satiated," momentarily stops suckling to smile up with a "toothless milky mouth." This image of innocence and contentment is met with the mother's response—a smile and the involuntary leaking of milk from her breast, symbolizing both the physical and emotional overflow of love and nourishment. The pain she feels when the baby pauses is quickly remedied when the baby resumes suckling, and the description of the baby as "attentive as a business man" introduces a touch of humor, likening the baby’s focused and determined manner to that of an adult engaged in serious work.

As the baby relaxes, Ostriker expands the setting, transforming the intimate scene into a universal one. The lines "all rooms are rooms for suckling in / all woods are woods for suckling in / all boulevards for suckling" suggest that this act of nurturing could take place anywhere, transcending the specific location and becoming a universal experience. The idea that "all rivers are rivers for suckling by" implies a natural, almost elemental connection between mother and child, one that is as fundamental and life-sustaining as water itself.

However, this serene and nurturing image is shattered by the abrupt shift in the poem's final lines: "I have read that in all wars, when a city is taken, / women are raped, and babies stabbed in their little bellies / and hoisted up to the sky on bayonets—." This sudden transition from the peaceful act of breastfeeding to the horrific violence of war is jarring and deeply unsettling. The graphic imagery of rape and the murder of infants starkly contrasts with the earlier depiction of maternal care, highlighting the vulnerability of both women and children in times of conflict.

This shift serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the innocence of the baby, which can be so easily destroyed by the horrors of war. The poem forces the reader to confront the stark reality that the same tender and life-giving act of breastfeeding, which sustains and nurtures, can exist in a world where such brutal violence is also a reality. The contrast between the nurturing mother and the destructive forces of war underscores the tragedy of innocent lives lost and the pervasive nature of human cruelty.

"Greedy Baby" ultimately becomes a meditation on the coexistence of love and violence, tenderness and brutality, in the human experience. Ostriker’s vivid imagery and the poem’s dramatic tonal shift convey the deep bond between mother and child while also acknowledging the harsh realities that threaten this bond. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the preciousness of life and the devastating impact of violence on the most vulnerable among us.

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