Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem “Waiting for the Communists,” written in homage to Cavafy’s “Waiting for the Barbarians,” explores the anxieties and paradoxes of ideological fears in contemporary society. Like Cavafy's poem, which depicts a city awaiting an external enemy, Field's work uses irony and social commentary to critique political paranoia and the constructed nature of fear.

The poem opens with a character asking, “What’s all the commotion about? / I haven’t seen the city in such an upheaval / since the last power failure.” This immediate sense of chaos and urgency sets the tone for the poem, as rumors spread that “the communists are coming today.” The idea of the communists’ arrival generates a frenzied response throughout the city, similar to the anticipation of the barbarians in Cavafy’s poem.

The stadium is packed with people “watching the giant television screens,” all eager to witness what the communists will look like, “roaring for blood.” The scene captures the spectacle and sensationalism surrounding the anticipated arrival, highlighting how fear becomes a form of entertainment.

Field provides a vivid image of government officials passing laws and the president signing them “furiously,” in a desperate attempt to “ban the communists.” The irony is clear: laws against the communists are futile because “when the communists get here / they’ll make their own laws.” This suggests the pointlessness of trying to legislate against an unknown and imagined enemy.

In a surreal and humorous twist, government emissaries are seen rushing to meet the communists “carrying pink-frosted cakes and party favors and hats,” believing these are the “kind of junk they say communists like.” The description of the communists as “just barbarians” reflects a reductive and ignorant mindset, similar to the attitudes in Cavafy’s poem.

The rich follow closely behind with lavish gifts, hoping to “buy them off,” believing their “elegant wives / will soften a little the hard hearts of the communists.” Here, Field critiques the wealthy’s attempt to protect their interests through bribery, revealing their fear-driven hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court justices gravely don their robes to “sign the surrender” after the government flees. The expectation of surrender underscores the perceived inevitability of the communists’ power. Field's portrayal of the justices' resignation reflects a broader cynicism about the government's ability to protect its citizens.

As the poem progresses, Field critiques the empty rhetoric of political leaders who have long warned against the communists: “why don’t our big shots stand up now and make their speeches, / warn against the communists like they’re always doing.” Their silence now that the communists are supposedly on the way demonstrates the hollowness of their fear-mongering.

However, the narrative shifts when the anticipated enemy fails to materialize. The crowds begin to mutter, “confused—even angry,” as they realize “the communists haven’t come.” People return home “so deep in thought,” grappling with the dissonance between the fear they were sold and the reality that “there aren’t any communists anymore, maybe never were.”

The poem ends on a powerful note of irony, as the speaker laments, “Oh my God, no communists? / Now what’s going to happen? / You’ve got to admit they were the perfect solution.” The absence of an external enemy leaves a void that exposes the absurdity of the constructed fear and the dependence on a scapegoat to unify and control society.

Structurally, “Waiting for the Communists” mirrors Cavafy’s poem, using a question-and-answer format to build tension and reveal the irony of the situation. Field’s conversational tone and vivid imagery create a compelling narrative that satirizes political paranoia and the need for ideological enemies.

In summary, “Waiting for the Communists” is a satirical exploration of fear and political manipulation. Edward Field masterfully adapts Cavafy’s classic poem to critique contemporary anxieties, highlighting how ideological enemies are often constructed to distract and unify a society in turmoil. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of scapegoating and the hollowness of fear-based rhetoric.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...