Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Implications of One Plus One" is a vibrant and multi-faceted exploration of the dynamics within a long-term relationship. The poem navigates through a series of intimate moments, capturing the physical, emotional, and almost mystical aspects of a union between two people. Through vivid imagery and varied metaphors, Piercy conveys the complexities and nuances of a shared life, celebrating the unique interplay that exists within a couple.

The poem begins with a powerful metaphor: "Sometimes we collide, tectonic plates merging, / continents shoving, crumpling down into the molten / veins of fire deep in the earth and raising / tons of rock into jagged crests of Sierra." This image of tectonic plates crashing together sets the tone for the intense, sometimes tumultuous nature of a relationship. The comparison to geological forces emphasizes the deep, elemental connection between the partners, suggesting that their union is both transformative and formidable.

In contrast to this intensity, the next lines offer a softer, more tender depiction: "Sometimes your hands drift on me, milkweed's / airy silk, wingtip's feathery caresses, / our lips grazing, a drift of desires gathering / like fog over warm water, thickening to rain." Here, Piercy highlights the gentle, delicate moments of affection, using imagery of milkweed and feathers to evoke a sense of lightness and ephemeral beauty. The progression from fog to rain mirrors the gradual build-up of desire, capturing the natural and fluid development of intimacy.

The poem shifts again, presenting a more primal and earthy side of the relationship: "Sometimes we go to it heartily, digging, / burrowing, grunting, tossing up covers / like loose earth, nosing into the other's / flesh with hot nozzles and wallowing there." This depiction is raw and visceral, emphasizing the physicality and animalistic aspects of love. The imagery of digging and burrowing suggests a deep, instinctual drive, underscoring the physical connection that complements the emotional and spiritual bonds.

Piercy then introduces a playful and youthful element: "Sometimes we are kids making out, silly / in the quilt, tickling the xylophone spine, / blowing wet jokes, loud as a whole / slumber party bouncing till the bed breaks." This portrayal of the couple as carefree and mischievous evokes the innocence and joy of youthful love. The metaphor of the "xylophone spine" adds a musical quality to the description, suggesting that even in their playfulness, there is a harmony and rhythm to their interactions.

The poem continues to explore various dimensions of the relationship, with lines like "I go round and round you sometimes, scouting, / blundering, seeking a way in, the high boxwood / maze I penetrate running lungs bursting / toward the fountain of green fire at the heart." This image of a maze and the pursuit of a "fountain of green fire" at its center symbolizes the continuous search for deeper connection and understanding within the relationship. The effort and determination depicted here reflect the ongoing nature of building and maintaining intimacy.

In a striking contrast, the poem also acknowledges moments of openness and surrender: "Sometimes you open wide as cathedral doors / and yank me inside. Sometimes you slither / into me like a snake into its burrow. / Sometimes you march in with a brass band." These lines capture the varying ways in which partners may approach intimacy—sometimes with grandeur and ceremony, other times with quiet stealth, and occasionally with bold exuberance.

Piercy concludes with a reflection on the enduring and evolving nature of their relationship: "Ten years of fitting our bodies together / and still they sing wild songs in new keys. / It is more and less than love: timing, / chemistry, magic and will and luck. / One plus one equal one, unknowable except / in the moment, not convertible into words, / not explicable or philosophically interesting. / But it is. And it is. And it is. Amen." These lines emphasize that the essence of their connection transcends simple definitions or explanations. The repetition of "And it is" serves as a powerful affirmation of the relationship's existence and significance, despite its complexity and resistance to being fully understood or articulated.

"Implications of One Plus One" by Marge Piercy is a richly textured poem that celebrates the multifaceted nature of a long-term relationship. Through a series of evocative images and metaphors, Piercy captures the intensity, tenderness, playfulness, and mystery that characterize a deep and enduring connection between two people. The poem's structure, with its varied and vivid descriptions, mirrors the ever-changing and dynamic nature of love, ultimately affirming the profound and inexplicable bond that unites the couple.

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