Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Tulips and Addresses," Edward Field reflects on themes of displacement, transience, and identity through the metaphor of tulip bulbs. The poem intertwines the speaker's personal experiences with a broader commentary on the nature of urban living, highlighting the challenges of finding a sense of permanence in an ever-changing environment.

The poem opens with a critique of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York: "The Museum of Modern Art on West Fifty-third Street / Is interested only in the flower not the bulb." The speaker finds MoMA's approach lacking in compassion because they "pulled them up and threw them away" after the tulips bloomed. The line "that place has no heart" suggests a disconnect between the museum's aesthetic goals and the life cycle of the flowers.

Fortunately, some of the discarded tulip bulbs are "rescued" and end up in the possession of the speaker, who keeps them "all winter in a paper bag from the A.&.P." The poem then details the speaker's struggles with finding a stable home: first on the West Side, where a "tribe of Murphys drove me out with rock'n' roll," and then in the Village, where "A girl and her lover tromped around all night on each other."

The speaker describes the bulbs as companions in his transient lifestyle: "I shlepped those bulbs around / For two months from place to place, looking for a home." This sense of restlessness is emphasized by the Yiddish term "shlepped," which suggests carrying burdens with difficulty.

The speaker acknowledges that this transience is "nothing new to me, / Coming as I do from a wandering race," alluding to his Jewish heritage and the historical displacement faced by Jews. He humorously adds that "life with its twelve plagues" has made him "even more Jewish."

Finally, the speaker finds a place "on Abingdon Square," where he plants the tulip bulbs in his window box. Although it's "not the Ritz exactly," he considers it "a place." The act of planting the bulbs represents an attempt to create a sense of stability and belonging. The speaker prays, "Please God make them come up," so that "everyone who passes by / Will know I am there."

The poem ends with a desire for recognition and permanence: "at least long enough to catch my breath, / When they see the bright, red, beautiful flowers in my window." The tulips symbolize a fleeting yet meaningful sign of life and identity in a transient world.

Themes and Interpretation:

1. Displacement and Transience: The poem reflects the challenges of finding stability in an ever-changing urban environment. The speaker's journey from one address to another mirrors the restlessness and displacement of modern urban life.

2. Identity and Belonging: The speaker's Jewish heritage and historical displacement influence his sense of identity. The tulips symbolize a desire for belonging and recognition amid transience.

3. Persistence and Hope: Despite the challenges, the speaker remains hopeful, planting the tulips and praying for them to bloom. The flowers represent persistence and hope for a better, more stable future.

4. Critique of Modernity: The poem critiques the Museum of Modern Art's lack of concern for the tulip bulbs, suggesting that modern institutions often prioritize aesthetics over life cycles and natural growth.

Structure and Tone:

The poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to adopt a conversational and reflective tone. The language is straightforward yet evocative, highlighting the emotional weight of the speaker's journey.

Conclusion:

"Tulips and Addresses" by Edward Field is a poignant exploration of displacement, identity, and hope. Through the metaphor of tulip bulbs, Field captures the challenges of finding stability in an ever-changing urban landscape. The poem invites readers to reflect on the importance of belonging and the persistence required to create a sense of permanence in a transient world.

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