Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem “First Sown” encapsulates the timeless ritual of planting peas, intertwining the themes of patience, hope, and the quiet miracles of growth. The poem begins with the act of planting peas, described as a tradition: “Peas are the first thing we plant always.” This opening line sets a tone of continuity and ritual, suggesting that this activity is a foundational part of the cycle of seasons and life.

Piercy’s use of imagery is vivid and tactile. She describes the physical act of planting with an intimacy that draws the reader into the experience: “We lie full length on the cold black earth and poke holes in it for the wrinkled old men of the seeds.” The depiction of seeds as “wrinkled old men” personifies them, highlighting their aged, weathered appearance and the wisdom they carry within. The act of lying on the “cold black earth” emphasizes the raw connection between the planter and the soil, a communion with nature that is both humble and profound.

The poem moves into a phase of waiting, where “nothing will happen for weeks.” Piercy captures the suspense and uncertainty inherent in gardening. The seeds are subjected to the elements: “Rain will soak them, a white tablecloth of snow will cover them and be whisked off.” These lines suggest a protective covering, a temporary shroud that both conceals and nurtures the potential life beneath. The personification of the moon singing to the seeds—“open, loosen, let the pale shoots break out”—adds a lyrical and almost magical dimension to the process, as if the celestial body itself is encouraging growth.

Despite these nurturing elements, the seeds remain inert for a time: “No, they are pebbles, they sit in the earth like false teeth. They ignore the sweet sun.” This comparison to pebbles and false teeth conveys a sense of stubbornness and lifelessness, a resistance to the very forces meant to awaken them. It underscores the idea that growth is not immediate and that the seeds, like all living things, have their own timing and process.

The turning point of the poem comes with the line, “Then one unlikely day the soil cracks along miniature faults.” This moment of transformation is sudden and miraculous. The “miniature faults” in the soil symbolize the breaking of barriers, the emergence of life from what seemed inert and unyielding. The appearance of “baby leaves” with their “double heads” signals the beginning of a new life, a confirmation that the waiting and nurturing have borne fruit.

Piercy’s final lines, “and we know we shall have peas,” conclude the poem on a note of certainty and fulfillment. The emergence of the leaves is a promise of the harvest to come, a testament to the cycles of nature and the rewards of patience and care.

“First Sown” is a beautiful reflection on the act of planting and the quiet, almost mystical process of growth. Through her rich imagery and personification, Piercy brings to life the intimate relationship between the gardener and the earth, celebrating the patience and hope required to nurture life from the soil. The poem resonates with the timeless rhythms of nature and the small, everyday miracles that come with the turning of the seasons.

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