Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem "Tracks" is a contemplative reflection on identity, relationships, and the impressions we leave behind in the course of our lives. Using the metaphor of tracks in the snow, Piercy explores how our interactions and roles with others define our existence and leave lasting marks on the passage of time.

The poem opens with the delicate and immediate image of small birds leaving "cuneiform / messages on the snow." This ancient script analogy suggests that even the simplest actions, such as birds foraging for food, carry significant messages and meaning. The tracks signify basic needs and presence: "I have / been here, I am hungry, I / must eat." This sets the stage for the larger theme of how beings, through their actions and needs, inscribe their existence onto the world.

Piercy then shifts to a more personal perspective, describing how different creatures perceive and interact with her: "the jays come knocking with their beaks / on my bedroom window: / to them I am made of seeds." Here, she becomes an essential part of the birds' survival, embodying sustenance and reliability. The relational dynamic extends to her role with cats, coyotes, and other animals: "To the cats I am mother and lover, / lap and toy, cook and cleaner. / To the coyotes I am chaser and shouter." Each animal sees her differently, defining her by the needs she fulfills or the roles she plays in their lives.

This exploration of identity through the eyes of others continues with human relationships: "I was bad watchful mommy to one man. / To another I was forgiving sister / whose hand poured out honey and aloe." The diversity of roles she describes—mother, sister, lover, adversary—highlights the complexity of human interactions and the multifaceted nature of personal identity. Each person sees a different facet of her, and each relationship leaves a distinct impression.

Piercy uses rich imagery to convey the varied impacts she has on others: "to that woman I was a gale whose lashing / waves threatened her foundation; to this / one, an oak to her flowering vine." The metaphors of natural forces and elements underscore the strength and significance of these relationships. The gale represents a powerful, perhaps overwhelming influence, while the oak signifies stability and support.

In the closing lines, Piercy reflects on the accumulation of these roles and interactions: "I have worn the faces, the masks / of hieroglyphs, gods and demons / bat-faced ghosts, sibyls and thieves, / lover, loser, red rose and ragweed." These varied masks and identities paint a picture of a life rich with diverse experiences and transformations. The tracks she has left behind on the "white crust of time" suggest that, like the cuneiform messages of birds, her existence and actions have inscribed meaning onto the fabric of time itself.

"Tracks" is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the enduring impact of our interactions. Piercy uses the metaphor of tracks in the snow to illustrate how our roles and relationships leave lasting marks, shaping how we are remembered and understood. The poem invites readers to consider the multitude of ways we influence others and the indelible impressions we leave behind. Through its rich imagery and reflective tone, "Tracks" emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and the significance of our individual journeys.

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