This poem by Marge Piercy perfectly illustrates Robert Byrne‘s maxim, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” There’s no better feeling than immersing yourself in work that is important, that calls to you, that feeds your soul. What a dreadful experience life would be without finding some way to be of use!
TO BE OF USE
by Marge Piercy
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.
In the book, Fooling With Words: A Celebration of Poets and Their Craft, Bill Moyers interviews Piercy and asks her what inspired this poem. She replied:
It’s about real work. I just looked around at all the people who support me. Somebody made this jacket I’m wearing. Somebody produced the materials for it. Somebody grew the food I eat—well, I grow some of my own food in a huge vegetable garden, but I don’t have chickens or the eggs. Somebody made your glasses. There’s so much labor in everything. This poem is my way of giving back, of acknowledging the people I depend on.
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life. Who will benefit from reading it?
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Phil is also the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
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Tags: Marge Piercy, poem, To Be of Use
