Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "S. Dead" is an exploration of memory, loss, and the impermanence of human connections. Through a series of vivid and poignant images, Piercy reflects on a past relationship marked by unexpected kindness and the subsequent impact of the individual's death. The poem examines the intersection of personal memory, physical trauma, and the enduring yet transient nature of poetry.

The poem begins with a recollection of kindness: "You were unreasonably kind three different years and unasked defended me in public squabble." These lines establish a sense of gratitude and surprise, as the speaker remembers the deceased person's unexpected acts of defense and generosity. This kindness is described as "unreasonably," suggesting that it was beyond what was expected or warranted, thus making it even more memorable.

The speaker then recalls a specific moment of connection over poetry: "I praised a poem. / Gently drunk, you gave me it. / I never saw you again. Three tooth yellow pages." The physical description of the poem—"three tooth yellow pages"—emphasizes its age and fragility, much like the fleeting nature of the relationship. The poem becomes a tangible reminder of the past, a relic of a moment now lost.

The imagery of "the fossil fern tracery of kindness unearned as death" likens the remembered kindness to a fossil, something delicate and enduring yet ultimately dead. This metaphor underscores the idea that acts of kindness, while impactful, can become distant and static memories, much like fossils are remnants of once-living organisms.

The poem takes a dramatic turn with the depiction of a car accident: "Day like a grey sponge the car spun out in mud. / My head broke the windshield: long streamered impact star." The vivid and visceral description of the accident contrasts sharply with the earlier reflections, introducing a sense of chaos and physical pain. The "long streamered impact star" evokes the shattering of the windshield and the starburst pattern it creates, symbolizing a sudden and violent disruption.

The aftermath of the accident is marked by confusion and trauma: "When Robert pulled me out waking I asked who he was. Later / I pissed blood and screamed, I rehearsed your act." This physical and emotional turmoil mirrors the speaker's inner disarray, further complicated by the memory of the deceased. The act of "rehearsing" the deceased's behavior suggests an attempt to find solace or meaning in their memory, even as the speaker grapples with their own suffering.

The poem then shifts to a meditation on the deceased's legacy: "Your face is gone, and now what will they do with your poems?" This question underscores the uncertainty of how the deceased's work will be remembered or valued. The juxtaposition of "poems and cars: artifacts that move" highlights the impermanence and vulnerability of both human creations and life itself. Both can be destroyed or rendered meaningless by a loss of control.

Piercy concludes with a reflection on the limitations of poetry: "But poems do not (outside of Gaelic) / kill: or save." This assertion challenges the romantic notion of poetry's power, suggesting that while poetry can evoke strong emotions, it cannot ultimately alter the fundamental realities of life and death. The poem ends with a stark acknowledgment of mortality: "There's nothing of you here, only words moving from anger at waste from an itch sorry, self seeking from bowels and breath entering a longer arc than the car that killed you toward oblivion." This final image portrays the deceased's words as expressions of human frailty and desire, moving inexorably toward oblivion, much like the life that was abruptly ended.

In summary, "S. Dead" by Marge Piercy is a poignant reflection on memory, loss, and the transient nature of human connections. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Piercy explores the enduring impact of kindness, the chaos of physical trauma, and the limitations of poetry in confronting the realities of death. The poem's shifting focus from personal memory to broader existential themes creates a powerful meditation on the impermanence of life and the search for meaning in the face of inevitable oblivion.

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