Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s "Another Obituary" poignantly captures the sense of loss and the relentless passage of time through the lens of personal and collective grief. The poem mourns the deaths of significant figures in the speaker's life, reflecting on the enduring impact of their absence and the deep longing for their continued presence.

The opening lines, "We were filled with the strong wine / of mutual struggle, one joined loud / and sonorous voice," immediately set a tone of solidarity and shared purpose. The imagery of being "filled with the strong wine" suggests a powerful, intoxicating unity forged through mutual struggle and activism. This collective experience of revolting, chanting, cursing, and crafting emphasizes the deep bonds formed through these intense, transformative actions.

The poem then shifts to a somber acknowledgment of loss: "First Muriel, then Audre and Flo, / now Adrienne." By naming these individuals, the speaker personalizes the grief, making it tangible and specific. These names—Muriel Rukeyser, Audre Lorde, Florence Howe, and Adrienne Rich—represent prominent figures in literature and activism, whose deaths mark the end of an era for the speaker. The metaphor of feeling "like a lone / pine remnant of virgin forest / when my peers have met the ax / and I weep ashes" vividly conveys the speaker's isolation and desolation, comparing the loss of these peers to the devastation of a once-thriving forest.

Despite the acknowledgment of emerging young voices and the ongoing rise of activism—"Yes, young voices are stirring now / the wind is rising, the sea boils / again"—the speaker grapples with the physical and emotional toll of aging: "I feel age sucking / the marrow from my bones, / the loneliness of memory." This juxtaposition highlights the bittersweet nature of witnessing a new generation take up the mantle while feeling the encroaching limitations of one's own mortality.

The speaker’s inner conflict is further expressed through the lines, "Their voices murmur in my inner / ear but never will I hear them / speak new words." The lingering presence of the departed in the speaker's memory contrasts sharply with the finality of their silence, underscoring the profound sense of loss. This sentiment is compounded by the speaker's insatiable longing for more: "no matter / how I cherish what they gave us / I want more, I still want more." This craving for the wisdom, guidance, and companionship of those who have passed away highlights the enduring nature of grief and the human desire for continuity and connection.

"Another Obituary" captures the essence of mourning and the struggle to find solace in the legacy left by those who have passed. Marge Piercy eloquently conveys the pain of losing influential figures who shaped the speaker’s life and the collective movement they were part of. The poem reflects a deep yearning for their continued presence and the recognition that, while new voices will rise, the unique contributions and companionship of those lost can never be fully replaced. Through this exploration of grief and memory, Piercy underscores the enduring impact of shared struggles and the profound void left by the passing of kindred spirits.

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