Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem "Visiting a Dead Man on a Summer Day" reflects on themes of legacy, societal progress, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Set against the backdrop of Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, the poem juxtaposes the grandeur of the tombs of industrial barons with the forgotten grave of the architect Louis Sullivan, capturing a meditation on historical memory and the neglect of visionary figures.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Graceland Cemetery, where the dead lie in ornate tombs that symbolize their past wealth and status: "Forty feet of Corinthian candle / celebrate Pullman embedded / lonely raisin in a cake of concrete." This imagery immediately establishes the contrast between the opulence of the tombs and the isolation of their occupants, suggesting a critique of the superficiality of such displays.

Piercy continues to depict the cemetery’s other notable monuments, such as the "Potter Palmers" who "float / in an island parthenon," and the "Barons of hogfat, railroads and wheat / are postmarked with angels and lambs." These lines underscore the commodification of death and the attempt to eternalize one's earthly success through grandiose memorials.

The poem then shifts focus to the Getty tomb, described with a sense of delicate beauty: "white, snow patterned / in a triangle of trees swims dappled with leaf shadow, / sketched light arch within arch / delicate as fingernail moons." This contrast between the solid opulence of other tombs and the ethereal quality of the Getty tomb highlights the latter’s architectural grace, likely a tribute to Sullivan’s artistry.

Addressing Sullivan directly, Piercy laments the neglect of his legacy: "Louis Sullivan, I sit on your grave. / It is not now good weather for prophets." This personal address brings an intimate tone, acknowledging Sullivan's contributions and the failure of society to recognize and honor his work appropriately. The phrase "not now good weather for prophets" reflects the hostile environment for visionaries in contemporary society.

Piercy explores the broader implications of this neglect through reflections on Sullivan’s life and work. The description of the inner green door of the Getty tomb as "a marvel of growing, blooming, thrusting into seed" symbolizes the organic, life-affirming nature of Sullivan’s architectural philosophy. The repetition of life cycles in "the circlet of repetition that never repeats" captures the essence of continual growth and innovation that Sullivan championed.

The poem’s tone grows more critical as Piercy considers Sullivan’s later years: "Thirty years with want crackling in your hands. / Thirty after years with cities / flowering and turning grey in your beard." These lines suggest a sense of wasted potential and unfulfilled promise, with Sullivan’s talents underappreciated and underutilized.

Piercy extends her critique to the broader societal context, reflecting on the state of America: "My country marches in its sleep. / The past structures a heavy mausoleum / hiding its iron frame in masonry." These lines convey a sense of stagnation and the burden of history, as the country fails to progress meaningfully or honor its visionaries.

The final stanzas of the poem depict the ongoing struggles and injustices in contemporary society: "where the poor still bleed from the teeth, / housed in sewers and filing cabinets." This stark imagery underscores the persistent social inequalities and the failure to address systemic issues. The poet’s frustration culminates in the line, "prophets may spit into the wind / till anger sleets their eyes shut," reflecting the futility and frustration faced by those who seek to bring about change.

The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on the disconnection between Sullivan’s visionary work and its perceived irrelevance in modern society: "this house that dances the seasons / and the braid of all living / and the joy of a man making his new good thing / is strange, irrelevant as a meteor." Piercy’s invocation of "this year of our burning" underscores the urgency and despair of the present moment, suggesting a society that is burning away its potential and future.

"Visiting a Dead Man on a Summer Day" is a deeply reflective and critical poem that mourns the neglect of visionary figures like Louis Sullivan while critiquing the broader societal failures that contribute to such neglect. Through vivid imagery and intimate reflection, Piercy captures the enduring tension between the beauty of individual creativity and the harsh realities of societal indifference.

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