Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Annie Finch’s poem “In Cities, Be Alert” is a cautionary meditation on urban life and its anxieties. Through vivid imagery and direct advice, Finch portrays the disorienting effects of living in a bustling city while emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant and grounded amidst the chaos.

The poem begins with a warning that immediately sets a tense tone: “You may hear that your heartbeat is uneven / and let new tension climb around your shoulders, / thinking you’ve found the trick for going mad.” Here, Finch captures the physical manifestations of anxiety, where an “uneven” heartbeat and climbing tension can make one feel on the brink of madness. The line “thinking you’ve found the trick for going mad” suggests the familiar feeling of spiraling thoughts and self-doubt that can accompany city life. The final line of the stanza shifts to practical advice: “But try to keep a grip on where you are,” urging the reader to stay grounded and aware.

In the second stanza, Finch provides a vivid description of the city environment: “Remember: all around you is pure city; / try to stay alert. On the wide streets, / so empty late at night, streaking in glass.” The phrase “pure city” suggests that the urban landscape is both omnipresent and inescapable. The “wide streets / so empty late at night” evoke a sense of loneliness despite the city’s size. The image of “streaking in glass” adds a layer of disorientation, reflecting the fast-paced movement and reflections that can confuse the senses. The stanza concludes with an unsettling observation: “the color of an alley, or the fall / of a sideways flicker from a neon sign / may utterly and briefly disconcert you.”

The third stanza continues the theme of disorientation: “but as you go, you’ll find that noise is worse. / Prepare for noise. But never scream.” Noise, in this context, becomes a tangible threat that can heighten the sense of unease. The advice “never scream” reflects the need to maintain composure even in the face of fear or confusion. The warning against “tensing ears too far in advance” emphasizes the idea that anticipating danger can make things worse, as it “can sharpen sirens.” This builds on the idea that anxiety can amplify the already overwhelming sensory input of the city.

In the fourth stanza, Finch introduces the challenge of reestablishing calm: “When you’re back to / your normal rhythm after such encounters, / just try to stay alert.” The phrase “normal rhythm” implies that finding calm amidst the chaos is possible, but requires effort and vigilance. The final lines deliver a sobering truth: “You’ll never know / exactly who is coming up behind you, / but the sudden movement of pedestrians / will finally, of course, be what disarms you.” Here, the unpredictability of city life is made explicit. The “sudden movement of pedestrians” can catch one off guard, highlighting the constant presence of uncertainty in urban environments.

Structurally, “In Cities, Be Alert” is composed of four stanzas with varying line lengths, reflecting the poem’s uneasy rhythm. Finch’s use of enjambment and repetition reinforces the theme of disorientation, while the conversational tone lends a sense of intimacy to the advice being offered.

In summary, “In Cities, Be Alert” is a cautionary and vivid exploration of urban anxiety. Annie Finch’s imagery and direct advice create a palpable sense of tension and disorientation, while also emphasizing the need for vigilance and composure in the face of chaos. The poem captures the paradoxical nature of city life—simultaneously thrilling and unsettling—and offers a thoughtful meditation on how to navigate its challenges.

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