4.24.2012

Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy

 A week ago or so, I was looking through some old notebooks and journals from college and came across the following poem/song:
Let me live in the sun
the years I have,
let me walk in the rain
the years I have.
Live long enough to tell my love
to everyone I love.
Live long enough to bake a brick
for the house we share.
Let me fight like a tiger
and leave something pretty
like a moon snail
on the common beach.
These lines come from Marge Piercy's Woman on the Edge of Time, a book I remember as terribly important to my becoming self all those many years ago.  I wanted to get it reread, but I didn't make time for it, so it is going back to the library now; however, I hope recording the words here will remind me to check it out again, to see how it and I have changed over the years.  One thing I know has not changed: my love for these lines. What do you think?  Can they be considered part of the National Poetry Month conversation?  I think we should seek poetry in all places and acknowledge it wherever it is found.

6 comments:

  1. One of my favorite books from my college years too. I have my copy still, being an inveterate hoarder and it is due a reread sometime soon. It doesn't get name checked as often as it deserves, I feel.

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    1. Although my husband and I both had this book in college (we were dating at the time), somehow neither copy has survived in our possession. I know I gave mine to my beloved roommate after loving it so much. I think my husband loaned his to his mother, but she got rid of it at some point. Anyhow, this is one we should have held on to, so I guess I'll be on the lookout for another copy!

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  2. They're beautiful lines! I haven't read them before but I can see why they stuck with you during those years (and have continued to do so). I'll have to look into Piercy's work.

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    1. As Seamus said, you never hear about Piercy. She's a little out there at times, but this book has remained extremely important to me, at least in memory. I'll try to read it again soon and give a full report.

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  3. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog! Haven't heard of Piercy either but that poem is truly beautiful.

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  4. yeah I like this, thanks for sharing. Here's one in return

    Orison

    Forever is a bet
    one makes, using
    Your heart as collateral

    Forever is a wish
    Shaped like a key
    For a door
    Shaped like a prayer.

    Forever is now
    Trapped in amber
    But shining clear
    as a diamond.

    G.Moon.

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