Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem “Haiti” is a meditation on privilege, empathy, and the inadequacy of international aid in the face of disaster. Through his reflections, Field invokes both personal responsibility and political ideals, weaving them into a call to action and awareness.

The poem begins with the speaker encountering a friend in the lobby of his apartment building. In this “bare, utilitarian lobby,” where “we have, if not luxury, everything we need,” the friend reminds him not to forget Haiti. The speaker initially struggles to understand what she says, needing to hear it “three times” before registering the word “Haiti.” This illustrates the insulated nature of his life, where he’s “unwilling to let even an earthquake / and a devastated people in!” The poem immediately establishes a contrast between the comfort of the speaker’s life and the devastation in Haiti.

Field reflects on how Haiti, aside from times of disaster, is often forgotten: “Odd, that except for disasters, / Haiti’s been wiped out of our consciousness.” He remembers a time when Haiti was more prominent, particularly within the artistic and LGBTQ+ communities: “with its dance academies and art schools, / Haiti was practically an extension of the Village.” This reference to New York’s Greenwich Village emphasizes how Haiti was once seen as a vibrant cultural hub, especially “for gays, where Haitian guys / were available and cheap.”

Field also acknowledges Haiti’s historical significance for African Americans: “where ‘Negroes’ used to go for relief / from segregation and second-class citizenship.” Haiti, being “the first country of Africans like them / to free itself from slavery,” served as a symbol of liberation and empowerment. This historical reference contrasts sharply with the current reality of Haiti’s devastation and continued struggles.

The poem then shifts to a critique of modern aid efforts and a nostalgic longing for the organized activism of the past: “One thing the disaster makes you realize— / we need the communist party back!” He fondly recalls the communists’ active fundraising and organizing efforts: “In the old days they’d be everywhere, / shaking canisters on street corners, / holding neighborhood fund-raisers.” Despite their rigid ideology and “no-fun righteousness,” Field recognizes that the communists “weren’t wrong about everything.”

Field critiques the inadequacies of the U.S. military’s intervention in Haiti: “They’d know the marines could never help Haiti / with their guns and armor and vehicles of war.” Instead of effectively distributing supplies, the military “feared going out among the poor.” This criticism underscores how disconnected aid organizations can be from the real needs of the people they are meant to help.

The speaker reflects on the communists’ historical dedication to social justice: “They knew the difference / between the rich and poor, / and that the rich never give—they take.” He recalls how communists “were practically the only ones / fighting segregation in the South.” Despite the failures of communist governments, Field argues that “out of power, / they make sense, and function best.”

Field imagines how communists would respond to the disaster in Haiti: “Right now, communists would make sure / that who needed it, got it—food, medicine and shelter, / and in Haiti, it’s almost everybody.” They would empower the Haitian people to “resist being gobbled up / by the invading imperial power.” However, Field acknowledges the challenge: “Lots of luck!”

The poem concludes with a self-reflective acknowledgment of privilege and complacency: “With communists on the case / we wouldn’t be allowed to forget the Haitians / and sink into our oh-so-comfortable lives.” The speaker admits his own guilt: “as I am doing, with such guilty relief, right now, / a roof over my head, a full refrigerator, a soft bed waiting, / and my door shut against the world.”

Structurally, the poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to weave personal reflection, historical anecdotes, and political critique seamlessly. The conversational tone makes the poem accessible, while the straightforward language enhances its sincerity.

Overall, “Haiti” by Edward Field is a compelling reflection on privilege, memory, and the shortcomings of modern humanitarian aid. By invoking the ideals of organized activism and critiquing the complacency of modern society, Field challenges readers to reconsider their own responsibilities in the face of global crises.

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