A Work Of Artifice - A poem by Marge Piercy

Marge Piercy - A Work Of Artifice

The bonsai tree
in the attractive pot
could have grown eighty feet tall
on the side of a mountain
till split by lightning.
But a gardener
carefully pruned it.
It is nine inches high.
Every day as he
whittles back the branches
the gardener croons,
It is your nature
to be small and cozy,
domestic and weak;
how lucky, little tree,
to have a pot to grow in.
With living creatures
one must begin very early
to dwarf their growth:
the bound feet,
the crippled brain,
the hair in curlers,
the hands you
love to touch.

Added: on February 19th, 2006 at 7:21 PM | Viewed: 4100 times | Comments and analysis of A Work Of Artifice by Marge Piercy Comments (7)

A Work Of Artifice - Comments and Information
Poet: Marge Piercy Poem: A Work Of Artifice Comment 7 of 7, added on April 23rd, 2006 at 12:40 PM. While it may not be a masterpiece,Personally I thought it was a good poem, and her point is clearly, seen the potential of the plant was stunted because "he"(the gardener) wanted the plant to be pretty.And I would be interested to see a four year old write something like that. Whoever that four year old is, they must be a very talented child. Anonymous from United States Comment 6 of 7, added on March 27th, 2006 at 8:51 AM. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a male ("John") would be so defensive about a poem expressing the experience of so many women who have been and continue to be bound and stunted by the control and sexism practiced by men in our society, past and present. If you believe Piercy could be sexist especially considering she's married to a man and has been for quite some time, perhaps you should be reflecting on your treatment of women in your life and why you feel so offended by Piercy telling the truths of women who may not be able to voice it themselves. Get with the program! Your comments themselves lessen women's chances of attaining equality in the world. Strength and support to the women in your life because they're gonna need it! Stephanie from United States Comment 5 of 7, added on February 19th, 2006 at 7:21 PM. The poem was good, except at the end it throws you off. It was written many years ago and it emphasizes the struggles of women. The bonsai tree is just a metaphor she used because it can be shaped to ones liking... I don't think she was trying to go into the "herbology" of it. Ashley from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, A Work Of Artifice, has received 7 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Marge Piercy with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Marge Piercy Poem: A Work Of Artifice Last read: May 17 2008, 4:54PM Viewed 4100 times. Added on February 19th, 2006 at 7:21 PM.

Piercy Info
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