Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem “Colossus” offers a sweeping, reflective critique of American imperialism, tracing the trajectory of a century’s worth of history. With its combination of personal and historical perspectives, the poem explores themes of decline, corruption, and the cyclicality of empires.

The poem begins with a grand declaration: “It’s awesome to have straddled a century, / lived through the peak years of an empire.” Field places himself as a witness to historical transformation, describing America’s period of “absolute supremacy, unlimited wealth.” However, this supremacy is short-lived: “then The Decline, and inescapably, / The Fall, / which now looks sooner rather than later.” This rapid transition from ascendance to decline reflects a familiar historical pattern, echoing the falls of past empires.

The speaker aligns his fate with that of the nation: “My country, perhaps we’ll crash down together, / and it will be up to archaeologists / of some unimaginable future / to figure out how the chunks fit / and which belong to me or it.” Here, the personal is inseparable from the political, and the imagery of “chunks” suggests a fragmented legacy that future generations will struggle to piece together.

Field then elaborates on the classical pattern of rise and fall: “It’s the classical pattern: / victory in war brought such power / we could have created a golden age on earth, / had wise men ruled.” However, this potential for greatness is squandered by mismanagement and greed: “but, predictably, / our riches were never used wisely. / As if hungry, we just became / a devouring monster.”

The metaphor of the “devouring monster” underscores the insatiable appetite for wealth and power that leads to moral decay. Field points out that in the “wrong hands,” everything, including the “gifts of the gods,” is wasted. He traces the corruption to the “paranoid” rulers who fostered a world divided into two hostile blocs: “Good versus Evil.” This Manichean worldview legitimized violence and suppression: “In the name of freedom, we assassinated, / here and abroad, the very people / who might have done the world some good.”

Field criticizes the systematic destruction of dissenting voices: “destroyed everything we couldn’t control— / other opinions, simple debate, difference.” This suppression extends to the intellectual sphere, where even “generosity of spirit” is branded as “subversive.” The result is a society driven by “dogma,” unable to tolerate diversity of thought or opinion.

The collapse of the opposing bloc, the Soviet Union, leaves the United States with a “dubious victory,” as the nation remains “wealth squandered, corrupt.” Despite the fall of its rival, America itself is left “with ignorance more entrenched than ever / and threatening to unleash / final suicidal destruction on the planet.” This grim assessment reflects Field’s belief that America’s unchecked power has led to a dangerous, self-destructive trajectory.

The poem ends on a personal note: “I, still shakily astride my century, wait / to crumble into ruins with it.” The speaker’s identification with the century reinforces his shared fate with the nation, as he awaits the inevitable collapse of the empire. The final image of “crumbling into ruins” evokes the decay of ancient civilizations, suggesting that America’s fate is not unique but part of a larger historical pattern.

Structurally, “Colossus” is written in free verse, allowing Field to weave personal reflection with historical narrative in a natural, conversational tone. The poem is divided into thematic sections, each building on the previous to create a comprehensive critique of American imperialism.

The language is direct and vivid, with metaphors such as “devouring monster” and “gifts of the gods” enriching the narrative. The capitalization of “The Decline” and “The Fall” underscores their inevitability, suggesting that these are not just historical events but archetypal processes.

In summary, Edward Field’s “Colossus” is a powerful meditation on the rise and fall of American imperial power. By blending personal reflection with historical analysis, Field creates a poem that serves as both a critique of imperial hubris and a cautionary tale about the perils of corruption, greed, and moral decay. The poem’s exploration of the cyclicality of empires and the dangers of unchecked power remains strikingly relevant in the modern context.

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