Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem “Digging In” is an intimate and evocative reflection on the deep connection between humans and the land they cultivate. Through vivid imagery and sensory detail, Piercy explores themes of labor, ownership, sensuality, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem captures the profound satisfaction and belonging that come from working the earth and reaping its rewards.

The poem opens with a promise of future gratification: “This fall you will taste carrots / you planted, you thinned, you mulched, / you weeded and watered.” The specific actions listed—planting, thinning, mulching, weeding, and watering—highlight the labor-intensive process of gardening, emphasizing the personal investment and care involved. The anticipation of tasting the carrots introduces the theme of delayed gratification, suggesting that the effort put into the garden will yield sweet and personal rewards.

Piercy emphasizes the intimate relationship between the gardener and the earth with the line, “This earth is yours as you love it.” This statement encapsulates the idea that ownership and belonging are reciprocal; the land becomes the gardener’s through the act of loving and tending to it. The speaker describes a symbiotic relationship with the land: “We drink the water of this hill / and give our garbage to its soil.” This exchange of resources—taking water and returning compost—underscores the mutual dependence and interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.

The imagery of labor and growth continues as the speaker lists the products of their efforts: “Out of it rise supper and roses / for the bedroom and herbs / for your next cold.” This list highlights the practical and aesthetic benefits of the garden, providing both sustenance and beauty, as well as medicinal herbs. The speaker’s assertion that “Your flesh grows out of this hill / like the maple trees” reinforces the idea that humans are not separate from the natural world but are deeply rooted in it, both physically and spiritually.

The poem takes a sensual turn with the line, “When we work in the garden you say / that now it feels sexual, the plants / pushing through us, the shivering / of the leaves.” The comparison of gardening to a sexual experience suggests a deep, almost primal connection to the earth, where the act of nurturing plants becomes an act of intimacy and pleasure. The surrounding environment—“the oaks bend over us, / the hill listens”—is personified, creating a sense of unity and harmony with nature.

The presence of the cats, who “come and sit on the foot / of the bed to watch us,” adds a touch of domesticity and continuity, as they are part of the household and the natural cycle. Their purring afterward symbolizes contentment and approval, linking the natural world to the personal, intimate space of the home.

Piercy concludes with the idea of growth and learning: “The tomatoes grow faster and the beans. / You are learning to live in circles / as well as straight lines.” The growth of the tomatoes and beans signifies the tangible results of their labor, while the final lines suggest a philosophical shift. Living in circles implies an understanding and acceptance of life’s cyclical nature, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, rather than adhering strictly to linear progress.

In summary, “Digging In” by Marge Piercy is a rich and sensual exploration of the relationship between humans and the earth. Through detailed imagery and emotional resonance, Piercy captures the profound satisfaction and sense of belonging that come from working the land. The poem highlights the reciprocal nature of this relationship, where effort and care yield personal and communal rewards. Ultimately, Piercy suggests that through this intimate connection with the earth, one learns to embrace the cyclical nature of life, finding harmony and fulfillment in both labor and love.

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