Homecoming
I am no longer myself as I watch
the evening blur the traffic
to a pair of obese headlights.
I return home, tried,
my face pressed against the window
of expectation . I climb the steps
to my f lat, only to trip over the mat
Outside the door. The key
goes to sleep in my palm.
I fear I have bungled again.
That last refinement of speech
terrifies me. The balloon.
Of poetry has grown red in the face
with repeated blowing. For scriptures
I, therefore, recommend
the humble newspaper: I find
My prayers occasionally answered there.
I shall, perhaps, go on.
Like this, unmindful of day
melting into the night.
My heart I have turned inside out.
Hereafter, I should be content,
I think, to go through life
with the small change of uncertainties.
[From 'Homecoming]
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"Homecoming" by Rajagopal
"Homecoming" by Rajagopal Parthasarathy - A Poignant Reflection on Identity and Uncertainty
"Homecoming" by Rajagopal Parthasarathy is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, self-doubt, and the search for meaning in the everyday. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Parthasarathy invites readers to contemplate the complexities of human existence and the struggle to find one's place in the world.
From the outset, Parthasarathy establishes a sense of disconnection and disorientation, as the speaker navigates the bustling city streets and returns home to confront their sense of self. The imagery of the evening blurring the traffic and the speaker's face pressed against the window conveys a feeling of detachment and alienation, highlighting the speaker's existential unease.
As the poem unfolds, Parthasarathy delves into the speaker's internal turmoil, as they grapple with feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty about their place in the world. The image of tripping over the mat outside the door symbolizes the speaker's sense of clumsiness and lack of control, while the sleeping key in their palm represents their struggle to find a sense of belonging.
One of the most striking aspects of "Homecoming" is Parthasarathy's use of metaphor and symbolism to convey the speaker's inner turmoil. The image of the balloon of poetry growing red in the face with repeated blowing serves as a powerful metaphor for the speaker's fear of failure and the pressure to succeed in their creative endeavors.
Throughout the poem, Parthasarathy employs a reflective and introspective tone, as the speaker grapples with their insecurities and doubts. The poem's conclusion, with the speaker expressing a sense of resignation and acceptance of life's uncertainties, encapsulates the theme of embracing the unknown and finding peace amid chaos.
In conclusion, "Homecoming" by Rajagopal Parthasarathy is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that offers a profound meditation on identity, uncertainty, and the human condition. Through its evocative imagery, introspective language, and universal themes, Parthasarathy's poem invites readers to confront their fears and doubts, ultimately finding solace in the acceptance of life's inherent complexities.
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