The Strength of Fields By James L. Dickey - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

Moth-force a small town always has,
Given the night.
What field-forms can be,
Outlying the small civic light-decisions over
A man walking near home?
Men are not where he is
Exactly now, but they are around him??? around him like the strength
Of fields.??? The solar system floats on
Above him in town-moths.
Tell me, train-sound,
With all your long-lost grief,
what I can give.
Dear Lord of all the fields
what am I going to
do
?
Street-lights, blue-force and frail
As the homes of men, tell me how to do it??? how
To withdraw??? how to penetrate and find the source
Of the power you always had
light as a moth, and rising
With the level and moonlit expansion
Of the fields around, and the sleep of hoping men.
You???? I???? What difference is there???? We can all be saved
By a secret blooming. Now as I walk
The night??? and you walk with me??? we know simplicity
Is close to the source that sleeping men
Search for in their home-deep beds.
We know that the sun is away??? we know that the sun can be conquered
By moths, in blue home-town air.
The stars splinter, pointed and wild. The dead lie under
The pastures.??? They look on and help.??? Tell me, freight-train,
When there is no one else
To hear. Tell me in a voice the sea
Would have, if it had not a better one: as it lifts,
Hundreds of miles away, its fumbling, deep-structured roar
Like the profound, unstoppable craving
Of nations for their wish.
Hunger, time and the moon:
The moon lying on the brain
as on the excited sea??? as on
The strength of fields. Lord, let me shake
With purpose.??? Wild hope can always spring
From tended strength.??? Everything is in that.
That and nothing but kindness.??? More kindness, dear Lord
Of the renewing green.??? That is where it all has to start:
With the simplest things. More kindness will do nothing less
Than save every sleeping one
And night-walking one
Of us.
My life belongs to the world. I will do what I can.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem evokes a deeply reflective and almost mystical atmosphere, centered around the imagery of night, small towns, and the natural forces that surround human life. The "moth-force" symbolizes a subtle but persistent energy present in a small town during the night. It suggests a delicate yet powerful presence, much like moths attracted to light, hinting at human curiosity, vulnerability, and the search for meaning.

The poem explores the relationship between man and his environment, emphasizing that although people may not be physically present, their influence and strength are felt "like the strength of fields." The solar system floating above and the town-moths create a cosmic connection, suggesting that human life is part of a larger universal order.

The speaker addresses various natural and man-made elements—the train sound, street lights, the moon, and the stars—seeking guidance and understanding. There is a recurring theme of searching for purpose, hope, and kindness as essential forces that can save and renew humanity. The poem concludes with a strong commitment to kindness and personal responsibility, emphasizing that even the smallest acts can contribute to the greater good.

Background and Author Introduction

While the poem itself does not specify an author, its style and thematic concerns are reminiscent of modernist and postmodernist poets who blend natural imagery with existential questions. The poem likely originates from a context where the poet reflects on the intersection of human life, nature, and cosmic forces, possibly inspired by the quiet, contemplative moments in small-town life.

Such poetry often emerges from a desire to find meaning in everyday experiences and to connect individual existence with universal themes like time, hope, and renewal. The author seems deeply attuned to the subtle energies of life and the importance of kindness as a transformative power.

Educational Value and Learning Points

This poem offers rich material for students and children to explore several important literary and life lessons:

• Imagery and Symbolism: Students can learn how natural elements like moths, fields, the moon, and stars symbolize larger ideas such as hope, strength, and the search for meaning.
• Themes of Hope and Kindness: The poem teaches that kindness and hope are fundamental to overcoming life's challenges, encouraging empathy and social responsibility.
• Connection Between Humans and Nature: It highlights the interconnectedness of people and their environment, fostering environmental awareness and respect.
• Reflective Thinking: The poem invites readers to think deeply about their place in the world and their personal impact.

Practical Applications in Life and Study

• In daily life, children can learn to appreciate small acts of kindness and recognize the power of hope during difficult times.
• In school, the poem can be used to teach poetic devices such as metaphor, personification, and tone.
• In art or creative writing classes, students might be inspired to create their own poems or stories about nature and human emotions.
• In social studies or ethics lessons, the poem’s emphasis on kindness and community can be a starting point for discussions about social values and cooperation.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What does the "moth-force" in the poem symbolize?
2. How does the poem describe the relationship between people and their environment?
3. What role does kindness play according to the poem?
4. Why does the speaker address elements like the train sound and street lights?
5. What is the overall message the poem conveys about hope and human life?

Answers

1. The "moth-force" symbolizes a subtle but powerful energy or presence that exists in a small town at night, representing curiosity, hope, and the search for meaning.
2. The poem suggests that people are connected to their environment in a way that their presence and strength are felt even when they are not physically there, like the strength of fields surrounding them.
3. Kindness is portrayed as the essential force that can renew and save humanity; it is the foundation from which hope and strength grow.
4. The speaker addresses these elements to seek guidance and understanding, using them as symbols of the natural and human-made world that influence life and purpose.
5. The overall message is that hope, kindness, and a connection to the natural world are vital for human survival and growth, and that everyone has a role to play in nurturing these qualities.

This poem encourages readers to embrace simplicity, kindness, and a sense of shared responsibility, reminding us that even in the quiet moments of night, there is a powerful force driving life forward.