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In the poem "A Journey", by Edward Field, a man finds inner peace after a
short train ride. I wanted to write about this poem because I enjoyed the way the
characters emotions changed throughout the trip. I believe he suffered a terrible loss,
which left him hurt and lonely. The poem starts with the man waking up to an undefined
change. He does not analyze this change, but decides to accept and enjoy it. While the
trip is progressing, emotions begin to surface. His struggle for self -control is finally
lost, and this release coincides with the destination of his trip. Finally he realizes
that he is in his natural place in the world, and reclaims his self-confidence.
The man wakes up to find that "everything was different." Although the
character knows that something has changed, he tries to control his feelings. In lines 7
and 8 it says: "Tears filled his eyes and it felt good…But he held them
back". He tries to keep his composure by reciting the alphabet, and then covers his
face with the newspaper, "no longer able to hold back the sobs". "A place
in him that had been closed like a fist was open," and he finds himself at "the
end of the ride". He was finally "himself at last". Familiar things and
places surrounded the man Edward Field was writing about. He found himself comforted by
going through a normal routine, in places that he knew down to the change in the flowers.
He is part of his surroundings, and blends in effortlessly. It's not until the end of his
trip, when he comes to terms with himself that he finally stands out. His
"radiance" makes everyone look and wonder, which sets him apart as an
individual, but still reflects the hopes of the community around him.
In contrast to this poem I found a different theme in Barbara Crooker's poem
"Pattys charcoal drive in". The young waitress in the poem has done a great job
playing a role. She wears her bowling shirt and red lipstick, which gives her style
credibility. Her thoughts are already in the future though. She says "this jobs
temporary as the summer sun", and she feels a cold wind from the future. The image
portrayed is more like a beautiful memory, then a lifestyle.
I can personally relate with the man in "Journey". I find that familiar
places help me to think and clear my head. I liked the way he noticed small details like
the telephone poles moving past the train, and the flowers changing with the season. At
the end of the poem his self-confidence was inspiring to those around him. I like the idea
that something as small as a smile on the street could bring a community together.
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