Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In the poem "New York," Edward Field offers a passionate defense of New York City, celebrating its vibrant energy, diversity, and the unique sense of freedom its residents embody. By contrasting the city's detractors with his personal experience, Field captures the city's magic and the unfiltered authenticity of its people.

The poem begins with the speaker asserting his love for New York: "I live in a beautiful place, a city / people claim to be astonished / when you say you live there." This astonishment reveals the preconceived notions many people have about New York, often associating it with crime, chaos, and pollution: "They talk of junkies, muggings, dirt, and noise, / missing the point completely." The speaker counters these stereotypes by dismissing other places as "a land of frozen people," emphasizing that New Yorkers are anything but frozen—they are full of life and authenticity.

The poem then transitions to the speaker's astonishment at New York's unique environment: "Home, I am astonished by this environment / that is also a form of nature." Field compares New York to natural paradises of "trees and grass," describing it as a "people paradise" where humans are the dominant species but coexist with "dogs, cats, sparrows, and roaches." He further likens the city's skyline to the Himalayas, noting that the tall buildings are no more accidental than mountains: "The city needs all those tall buildings / to contain the tremendous energy here." This metaphor reinforces the idea that New York's architectural landscape is an organic expression of its residents' energy and ambition.

Field emphasizes the city's harmonious balance: "The landscape is in a state of balance. / We do God's will whether we know it or not." The image of streets ending in "a river of sunlight" suggests a divine beauty that transcends the urban chaos. The spiritual undertones further elevate New York to a mystical realm, where its energy and ambition align with a higher purpose.

The poem celebrates New Yorkers' authenticity and resilience: "Nowhere else in the country do people / show just what they feel— / we don't put on any act." Field admires the unapologetic way New Yorkers navigate the city, stating, "Look at the way New Yorkers / walk down the street. It says, / I don't care." This confidence enables them to "dare to live their dreams, or nightmares, / and no one bothers to look."

Living in New York requires a certain expertise, which Field describes humorously: "Part of the trick is not to go anywhere, lounge about, / go slowly in the midst of the rush for novelty." Despite the city's reputation for speed and novelty, the speaker advocates for a more relaxed approach, finding joy in the simple pleasures of urban life. The "big event" in New York is not any particular attraction but "the streets, which are full of love."

Field notes the city's unique sense of camaraderie: "we hug and kiss a lot. You can't say that / for anywhere else around." For some, New York is a "carnival of sex," full of endless opportunity. For the speaker, the city is a place where his soul seeks nourishment: "out walking, my soul seeks its food." The poem reaches a climactic moment when the speaker describes meeting his "mate" while walking: "our eyes meet, / and our beings exchange a vital energy, / the universe goes on Charge, / and we pass by without holding." This brief but profound connection encapsulates the poem's celebration of the fleeting yet intense connections that New York fosters.

Structurally, "New York" is written in free verse, allowing Field to adopt a conversational and fluid tone that reflects the spontaneity and energy of the city itself. The language is straightforward yet vivid, with metaphors and imagery that bring the city's unique environment to life.

Overall, Edward Field's "New York" is a love letter to the city, celebrating its authenticity, diversity, and vibrant energy. By contrasting stereotypes with personal experience, Field captures the magic and complexity of New York, inviting readers to see beyond its surface and appreciate the unfiltered beauty of its people and environment.

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