Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field's poem "Hear, O Israel" is a lyrical and deeply introspective exploration of identity, heritage, and the universal bonds between different faiths. By reflecting on his own Jewish heritage and experiences in the Muslim world, Field celebrates the shared humanity that transcends religious and cultural differences. Through vivid imagery and personal reflection, he delivers a message of unity and understanding, while also addressing the complexities of historical and contemporary tensions.

The poem begins with a confession: “At age sixty-four, waking in the night / not with a hard-on, alas, but indigestion.” This opening line sets a tone of candidness and humor, while immediately situating the speaker at a reflective stage in his life. He identifies himself as “son of Jews from the shtetls of Poland and Russia,” acknowledging his Jewish roots and blending this with the exotic imagery of his father’s “eagle profile of a sheik” and his mother’s “goyish nose.” This mixture of identities hints at the universality of the poem’s central theme.

Field then shifts to a broader exploration of his admiration for the Muslim world, “maligned as fanatic and backward, even evil.” He lists the places he has visited—Morocco, Tunisia, Cairo, Jerusalem, Afghanistan—and describes the rich cultural experiences he encountered in these lands. He recalls how the Muslim world taught him “that I was a man,” emphasizing the spiritual and personal growth he underwent during his travels.

The poem's imagery is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of desert landscapes, ancient cities, and holy sites. He describes “holy Jerusalem, built over a spiritual fault / that can never allow peace, but heightens the spirit,” highlighting the paradox of Jerusalem’s sacred significance and unending conflict. He also reflects on the hospitality he encountered, where strangers would invite him to “break thy journey and linger awhile / so that we may open our lives, our hearts to each other.”

The journey through the Muslim world is not without its challenges, as he recounts the “turmoil of peddlers at the bus depot” and the exhaustion of carrying a suitcase “plagued by beggars and flies.” However, the transformative power of the region becomes apparent when “this world can transform itself / from a garbage dump into a garden.” The ability of the Muslim world to reveal beauty amid adversity resonates deeply with the speaker.

Field's home reflects his travels through the rugs he has brought back, which carry “something of the caravan, the nomad flocks, / that makes cats go crazy on it.” The rugs retain fragments of forgotten languages, weaving together “glimmers of meaning” about ancestry and honor. These woven patterns remind him of his own Jewish identity, with the special strand that signifies “what Jew means: / one who remembers.”

The poem culminates in a tribute to the Muslim world, with the speaker offering his testimony: “Hear, O Israel,” echoing the Shema, a central Jewish prayer. He praises the Muslim world for “preserv[ing] our connections to ourselves, / to the old times,” and for teaching the Jewish people “what we were, who we are.” He warns against the “insanity of the world” and the “lack of love for our brothers,” calling for unity before it leads to “the destruction of us all.”

The poem ends with an embrace between the speaker and his “soul’s beloved, my sacred brother,” sealing his testimony with a kiss. This final image symbolizes the deep connection between faiths and the possibility of unity despite differences.

Structurally, the poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to weave together personal reflection, descriptive imagery, and spiritual exploration seamlessly. The conversational tone invites readers into an intimate space of reflection and vulnerability.

In summary, "Hear, O Israel" is a moving exploration of faith, heritage, and the bonds that unite humanity. Edward Field celebrates the Muslim world’s cultural and spiritual richness while urging for unity and understanding between faiths. The poem serves as a reminder of the shared values and histories that can transcend religious and cultural divides, emphasizing the importance of embracing our common humanity.

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