Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"For the Women of Poland: December 1981" by Jane Hirshfield is a poignant poem that captures the essence of political and social struggle in Poland during a critical historical period. December 1981 marked the imposition of martial law in Poland by the communist government, in an attempt to crush the pro-democracy Solidarity movement. Hirshfield's poem is a tribute to the resilient spirit of Polish women amidst this crisis, focusing on their strength, patience, and unyielding will.

At the core of the poem is the theme of resistance-both physical and emotional-as depicted through the lives of the Polish women. The setting is a metaphorical "crossing of two streets," which reflects the crossroads of political tension and social uncertainty. The leaves have turned "accomplices of the cold," signifying how even nature is seen to be aligned with the harsh political climate. These women offer "a patience, a hunger" at the market, contrasting with the more conventional offerings of "robust ears of corn, potatoes with green-sprouting eyes." This is a heartbreaking juxtaposition that brings the daily struggles into sharp focus-what's at stake here isn't just the lack of produce but a starvation for justice and liberty.

Hirshfield employs stark imagery to show the ubiquity of scarcity and longing-"Everywhere there are lines, people hoping for butter, or freedom, or meat." This line aptly captures the intersection of everyday needs with extraordinary demands for freedom. She speaks of cards being sold that represent different professions, emphasizing the complexity and desperation of life under such trying circumstances. Yet even in these struggles, Hirshfield identifies a kind of love, a communal experience manifesting in the "fingers grown raw rubbing the wool of your coats, the bark of these trees."

The style of the poem is free verse, devoid of any specific rhyme or meter, which lends itself well to the chaotic and unpredictable life that the poem describes. Hirshfield's language is simple yet deeply evocative, making extensive use of metaphor and symbolism to convey complex emotional and political states. For example, the "hand-cranked gramophone of a heart" is a striking metaphor for resilience and the stubborn will to keep living, even when the circumstances are less than favorable.

Towards the end of the poem, the women have "made up their minds to stay stubbornly on," despite the traffic lights that continue to signal stop and go-symbols for the arbitrary rules and restrictions imposed on them. This embodies their determination to "grind out an old music," a metaphor for maintaining traditions, hopes, and spirits even in dire situations.

"For the Women of Poland: December 1981" is a powerful snapshot of a particularly bleak time in Polish history. However, it is not just a poem about struggle; it is also a poem about resilience, about the raw, unyielding humanity that persists even when external circumstances are merciless. In capturing the spirit of these Polish women, Hirshfield also captures a universal essence of human endurance, courage, and the indomitable will to survive.

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