TO BE OF USE
The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of
sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to
a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive
patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move
things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who stand in the line and haul in their places,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put
out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to
dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
Marge Piercy
Copyright 1982
TO BE OF USE
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- tracytaylorquinn
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:59 am
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Re: TO BE OF USE
Jennifer,
I liked this poem. It's got tons of spirit and a go-getter attitude. It rocks!
I liked this poem. It's got tons of spirit and a go-getter attitude. It rocks!
"Fears are meant to be conquered."
Re: TO BE OF USE
tracytaylorquinn,
I adore this poem for it's optimism!
I adore this poem for it's optimism!