Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem “Afghanistan” captures the stark beauty and harshness of the desert landscape while exploring the theme of thirst—both literal and metaphorical. Through evocative imagery and a compelling narrative, Field illustrates the journey of endurance and acceptance that leads to the ultimate relief of finding water in a desolate place.

The poem begins by emphasizing the protagonist’s appreciation for “all wetness,” especially after being “stranded in desert.” Even the “banal dribble of faucets” becomes “total pleasure” in this arid environment. This opening sets the tone for the poem, as Field explores the yearning for water and the heightened appreciation that comes from deprivation.

The protagonist finds themselves in a dire situation when their “ramshackle bus breaks down on a remote plain.” They are forced to wait “in its shadow / with the robed and veiled, the more patient ones than you.” The contrast between the protagonist's impatience and the calm demeanor of the others underscores the difference in cultural attitudes toward hardship and endurance.

Field paints a vivid picture of the surrounding landscape, emphasizing its barrenness and unyielding nature. The protagonist tries to take comfort in the “barren sweep of mountain ahead / and the nomad encampment visible on a far slope, as stony as this one.” The buzzing of insects around a patch of “stiff, staring-eyed sunflowers / rattled by gusts” adds to the sense of desolation. The flowers, with their unwavering gaze, seem to symbolize the resilience required to survive in such a harsh environment.

The absence of water becomes a central focus, as the protagonist longs for something to quench their thirst. However, even the fantasy of finding Pepsi-Cola “would be ambrosia,” though the ancients advise, “better not drink in heat of day—wait for sundown.” This advice, rooted in ancient wisdom, further emphasizes the timeless nature of the struggle for survival in the desert.

The poem then shifts to explore the psychological impact of the desert, as “the imagination goes desolate,” conjuring images of “thirst-crazed lost staggerers / after illusory lakes on false horizons.” The heat and waiting blur time, leading to “hours, or is it days, of this.” When the protagonist reaches their breaking point, “the first change occurs, / like a shift in bedrock,” and they accept “being stuck there.” The act of surrendering to the situation brings a sense of peace and clarity.

Amid this acceptance, a glimmer of hope emerges as “a wild jangle of music” begins to play, and “there is even a breeze.” Rescue finally comes in the form of a truck “crowded with molten-eyed men in rakish turbans.” The protagonist climbs aboard, joining the men on “piles of bags in back / full of some scratchy harvest of wool or wheat.” After an hour of bumping along a stony track, the mud walls of an oasis town come into view.

Field’s description of the oasis town is lush and vibrant, providing a stark contrast to the barren desert: “intense gardens enclose pomegranate trees / at once in fruit and flower.” The protagonist’s journey ends in a caravanserai-hotel, where the men gather “cross-legged with pots of tea / on rug-draped divans in the gloom.” The description of this communal space evokes a sense of warmth and camaraderie, offering a respite from the harshness of the journey.

The ultimate relief comes in the form of a shower: “in your room you strip off dust-caked clothes / down to tender skin, pores open to everything now, / and turn on the shower.” This closing image captures the transformative power of water in the desert, emphasizing the profound blessing it represents in such a hostile environment.

Structurally, “Afghanistan” unfolds in free verse, allowing Field to weave together a vivid narrative with rich imagery and philosophical reflection. The poem's fluidity mirrors the protagonist’s journey from desperation to acceptance and finally to relief.

In summary, “Afghanistan” is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the harshness and beauty of the desert landscape, capturing the universal human longing for relief amid adversity. Edward Field masterfully uses vivid imagery and a compelling narrative to convey the transformative power of water and the ultimate blessing it represents in a world of thirst.

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