Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem “Song: Trop Tard Pour Paris” is a poignant exploration of longing, nostalgia, and the paths not taken in life. The title itself, which translates to "Too Late for Paris," sets the tone for a meditation on regret and the enduring allure of a life that might have been.

The poem begins with the narrator’s return to France after many years. He expresses immediate regret for “a life I never lived,” acknowledging the opportunities and experiences that passed him by. The French refrain “trop tard, / trop tard pour Paris” reinforces the sense of finality and lost possibility.

Field introduces a ghostly parallel self who “never got on that boat” and instead remained in Paris. This spectral figure embodies the youthful stubbornness and idealism that the narrator once had: “skinny as ever, unchangeably stubborn and young.” The ghostly counterpart “didn’t need money or a job to stay,” suggesting that this alternate version of the narrator lived a more carefree, unencumbered life in Paris. The real-life narrator, in contrast, “lived out my New York life,—analysts, transient loves, the years,” implying a more grounded, pragmatic existence shaped by material concerns.

The juxtaposition of these two lives highlights the tension between dreams and reality. While the narrator pursued a practical path in New York, his ghostly counterpart remained in Paris, floating “through the terrible mists / of the city he could never bear to leave.” This imagery evokes a sense of ethereality and timelessness, suggesting that the alternate self was able to transcend the constraints of reality.

The narrator reflects on the choices he made, admitting that “by giving up Paris I gained / the rest of the world.” This acknowledgment of the broader experiences that his choice provided does little to diminish the feeling that “it’s here I should have lived my life.” The repetition of the phrase “trop tard, / trop tard pour Paris” underscores the irreversible nature of the decision and the enduring sense of longing for what was left behind.

Structurally, the poem is written in free verse, which allows Field to capture the fluidity of thought and emotion as the narrator moves between reflection and longing. The conversational tone creates an intimate atmosphere, inviting the reader to share in the narrator’s internal dialogue.

In summary, “Song: Trop Tard Pour Paris” is a haunting meditation on the roads not taken and the enduring allure of youthful dreams. Edward Field captures the complexity of longing and regret with a lyrical and evocative style, offering a powerful reminder of the choices that shape our lives and the dreams that remain just out of reach. The poem serves as a testament to the enduring pull of Paris as a symbol of idealism, creativity, and the possibilities of a different life.

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