Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy's poem "Choices" is a sharp, unflinching critique of political and societal priorities, particularly focusing on the contrasting options between domestic welfare and military aggression. Through a series of rhetorical questions and stark imagery, Piercy challenges the reader to consider the real cost of war and the misplaced values that lead to the neglect of basic human needs.

The poem opens with a direct comparison between essential domestic needs and the decision to go to war: "Would you rather have health insurance / you can actually afford, or bomb Iraq?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the absurdity of choosing military action over accessible healthcare. Piercy continues this pattern with other critical needs: "inspectors / to keep your kids from getting poisoned / by bad hamburgers" and "clean air / and drink water free from pesticides / and upriver shit." Each line underscores the vital importance of these basic needs, juxtaposing them with the destructive and costly alternative of bombing Iraq.

Piercy uses a metaphor to describe the nation's misguided spending priorities: "We’re the family in debt whose kids / need shoes and to go to the dentist / but we spend our cash on crack." This metaphor paints a picture of a society addicted to the thrill of war, choosing immediate, destructive gratification over long-term well-being. The line "It’s money blowing up in those weird / green lights" evokes the imagery of televised warfare, further criticizing the spectacle of destruction funded by resources that could have been used for public good.

The poem also addresses the hypocrisy in the professed value of life: "Oh, we love fetuses now, we even / dote on embryos the size of needle / tips; but people, who needs them?" Piercy points out the irony in the fervent protection of unborn life while disregarding the lives of living people affected by war. The term "Collateral damage" is used to dehumanize the victims of war—babies, kids, animals, and the elderly—reducing them to mere statistics rather than acknowledging their humanity.

Piercy continues to criticize the motivations behind war, particularly the pursuit of oil: "Let’s go conquer more oil and dirty / the air and choke our lungs." This line connects the environmental degradation caused by the quest for resources to the broader theme of societal neglect. The poem concludes with a grim reflection on the dehumanizing effect of war: "More dead / people is obviously what we need, / some of theirs, some of ours. After / they’re dead a while, strip them / and it’s hard to tell the difference." These lines emphasize the senseless loss of life and the ultimate futility of war, where the distinctions between friend and foe blur in death.

"Choices" by Marge Piercy is a powerful and provocative poem that forces readers to confront the consequences of misplaced priorities. Through her incisive language and compelling comparisons, Piercy urges a reevaluation of societal values, advocating for the prioritization of health, safety, and environmental sustainability over the destructive pursuits of war. The poem serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political decisions and the urgent need to redirect resources towards nurturing and protecting life rather than destroying it.

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