Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "On Guard" is a tender and passionate expression of the desire for mutual protection and intimacy within a relationship. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Piercy captures the profound need for a partner who provides physical, emotional, and psychological support, particularly in times of vulnerability and aging.

The poem opens with a direct and intimate request: "I want you for my bodyguard, / to curl round each other like two socks / matched and balled in a drawer." This simile of socks matched and balled together evokes a sense of perfect fit and close companionship, suggesting that the speaker seeks a partner who complements and completes them, offering warmth and protection.

The desire for physical closeness is further emphasized: "I want you to warm my bedside, / two S’s snaked curve to curve / in the down burrow of the bed." The image of two "S’s snaked curve to curve" conveys an intertwining of bodies, highlighting the comfort and security found in physical proximity. The "down burrow of the bed" suggests a cozy, safe space where the speaker can find solace and warmth.

The poem continues with a wish for nurturing care: "I want you to tuck in my illness, / coddle me with tea and chicken / soup whose steam sweetens the house." This imagery of being cared for during illness, with the comforting and homely touch of tea and chicken soup, underscores the need for a partner who provides tender, loving care, making the home a place of healing and comfort.

Piercy then addresses the need for protection against external threats: "I want you to watch my back / as the knives wink in the thin light / and the whips crack out from shelter." This metaphorical depiction of danger highlights the importance of having a partner who is vigilant and protective, someone who can guard against both physical and emotional harm.

The theme of protection extends to the preservation of the body and spirit: "Guard my body against dust and disuse, / warm me from the inside out, / lie over me, under me, beside me." This line suggests a desire for a partner who can keep the speaker active, engaged, and emotionally fulfilled, maintaining their vitality and well-being.

The poem's imagery shifts to the natural world, evoking a sense of renewal and resilience: "in the bed as the night’s creek / rushes over our shining bones / and we wake to the morning fresh / and wet, a birch leaf just uncurling." The comparison of their bodies to a birch leaf uncurling in the morning symbolizes rebirth and the continual renewal of their relationship, suggesting that their bond provides a source of rejuvenation and strength.

Piercy also touches on the challenges of aging: "Guard my body from disdain as age / widens me like a river delta." The metaphor of a river delta widening as it ages captures the physical changes and potential vulnerabilities that come with aging. The speaker seeks a partner who will protect and cherish them despite these changes, preserving their dignity and self-worth.

The poem concludes with a powerful vow of mutual guardianship: "Let us guard each other until death, / with teeth, brain and galloping heart, / each other’s rose red warrior." This final line underscores the commitment to protect and support each other with every aspect of their being—physical strength ("teeth"), intelligence ("brain"), and passionate love ("galloping heart"). The phrase "rose red warrior" combines the imagery of a delicate flower with that of a fierce protector, symbolizing the balance of tenderness and strength in their relationship.

"On Guard" by Marge Piercy is a heartfelt plea for a deep, reciprocal relationship where partners protect, nurture, and rejuvenate each other. Through her evocative language and rich imagery, Piercy beautifully captures the essence of a partnership grounded in mutual care, support, and unwavering devotion.

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