Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Old Moon Cradling the New Moon" is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life, relationships, and transformation. Through evocative imagery and metaphor, Piercy explores the interplay between past and future, known and unknown, and the continuous evolution of identity and desire.

The poem opens with a reflection on the past: "What we have known is fully formed / but fading, a chord no longer quite / audible but resonating in the bones." This imagery of a fading chord suggests that past experiences, though no longer present in their entirety, continue to influence and shape us deeply, lingering in our very bones.

Piercy juxtaposes this with the future: "What we will be together is just a sliver / of light, a whisper, a tone too high / to hear yet but alerting the nerves." The "sliver of light" and "whisper" convey the nascent and delicate nature of what lies ahead. This newness is barely perceptible but is already beginning to stir our senses and prepare us for what is to come.

The poem continues to intertwine past and future: "What we have been contains / what we will be, although it is new / as first milk from a swollen breast." Here, Piercy highlights the continuity between past and future, suggesting that our history is the foundation for our future selves. The simile of "first milk from a swollen breast" captures the freshness and nourishment of the new, even as it is rooted in what has come before.

Desire is depicted with striking imagery: "What we desire rides the night / like a storm of tiny feathers, blossoms / of ice and pinpricks of fire." This line conveys the complexity and intensity of desire, blending gentleness ("tiny feathers") with sharpness ("pinpricks of fire") and fleeting beauty ("blossoms of ice"). The nocturnal setting adds a sense of mystery and passion to these yearnings.

The connection between past and future is further emphasized: "Where we will go is rooted in where / we have been, in each other’s arms / as if twinned in the womb, and now." This suggests a deep, almost primordial bond between the speaker and their partner, likening their relationship to twins sharing a womb. The past is not merely a backdrop but a fundamental part of their journey together.

The poem then shifts to an image of transformation: "the womb opens on a new beast / an elegant hybrid of cat and eagle, / a flower fully armed and fragrant." This metaphor of a new, hybrid creature emerging from the womb symbolizes the birth of something unique and powerful, combining qualities of grace (cat), vision (eagle), and beauty (flower). This creature embodies the potential and promise of what is to come.

Piercy concludes with a sense of hope and anticipation: "with the essences of could be, might / be, want to be, with the promise of birth / under the sign of the skinniest moon." The "essences of could be, might / be, want to be" highlight the myriad possibilities that lie ahead, each filled with potential and desire. The "skinniest moon" symbolizes new beginnings, a fragile yet powerful sign of renewal and growth.

"Old Moon Cradling the New Moon" by Marge Piercy beautifully captures the interplay between past and future, illustrating how our histories shape our desires and potentials. Through rich metaphors and vivid imagery, Piercy invites readers to contemplate the continuous cycle of change and the ever-present promise of new beginnings.

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