'Returned To Say' by William Stafford
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When I face north a lost Cree
on some new shore puts a moccasin down,
rock in the light and noon for seeing,
he in a hurry and I beside him
It will be a long trip; he will be a new chief;
we have drunk new water from an unnamed stream;
under little dark trees he is to find a path
we both must travel because we have met.
Henceforth we gesture even by waiting;
there is a grain of sand on his knifeblade
so small he blows it and while his breathing
darkens the steel his become set
And start a new vision: the rest of his life.
We will mean what he does. Back of this page
the path turns north. We are looking for a sign.
Our moccasins do not mark the ground.
Submitted by Bakari Thomas
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Returned To Say" by William Stafford: An Analysis
Oh, what a beautiful poem "Returned To Say" is! William Stafford, the author of this masterpiece, has captured the essence of human emotions in such a mesmerizing way that it leaves the reader spellbound. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various devices and themes used by the poet to make this poem a timeless classic.
Summary
The poem, "Returned To Say," is about a man who returns to his childhood home after many years, only to find that everything has changed. The trees that he used to climb have been cut down, the fields that he used to run in have been paved over, and the house that he grew up in has been replaced by a new one. As he walks around, he realizes that he no longer recognizes the place, and that he has become a stranger in his own past.
The poem is written in free verse and contains five stanzas, each with four lines. The language used is simple and direct, but the emotions conveyed are deep and complex.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the passage of time and how it changes everything. The man in the poem has not visited his childhood home in many years, and he is shocked to see how different it has become. The trees, fields, and house that he remembers have all disappeared, and he is left feeling disoriented and lost.
Another theme of the poem is the loss of innocence and the pain of growing up. The man in the poem is no longer the carefree child that he once was, and he is forced to confront the harsh reality of life. He realizes that he can never go back to the way things were, and that he must accept the changes that have taken place.
Devices
Stafford uses various devices to convey the emotions of the man in the poem. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The poet creates vivid images of the man's childhood home, such as the "apple orchard gone now, and the cherry" and the "place where the children's swing was" to show how much has changed.
Stafford also uses symbolism to convey the man's emotions. For example, the cutting down of the trees that the man used to climb can be seen as a metaphor for the loss of his childhood innocence. The new house that has replaced the old one can be seen as a symbol of the man's own transformation from a child to an adult.
Another device that Stafford uses is repetition. The phrase "I had forgotten" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the man's sense of disorientation and loss.
Interpretation
The poem "Returned To Say" can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a commentary on the human condition. The man in the poem represents all of us, as we all must come to terms with the changes that time brings. We all have a past that we can never return to, and we must learn to accept the present and look forward to the future.
The poem can also be seen as a warning about the dangers of nostalgia. The man in the poem is tempted to cling to his memories of the past, but he realizes that this is not possible. He must move on and embrace the present. The poem is a reminder that nostalgia can be a trap, and that we must be careful not to become too attached to the past.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Returned To Say" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of human emotions. Through the use of imagery, symbolism, and repetition, Stafford conveys the sense of disorientation and loss that the man in the poem feels. The poem is a commentary on the passage of time, the loss of innocence, and the dangers of nostalgia. It is a timeless classic that speaks to us all, reminding us to accept the present and embrace the future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Returned To Say: A Poem of Reflection and Regret
William Stafford’s poem, “Returned To Say,” is a powerful and poignant reflection on the nature of regret and the importance of seizing the moment. Through its vivid imagery and haunting tone, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of looking back on our lives and wondering what might have been. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem, as well as its historical context and relevance to contemporary readers.
Themes
At its core, “Returned To Say” is a poem about the passage of time and the inevitability of regret. The speaker, who has returned to a place he once knew, reflects on the choices he made in his youth and the opportunities he missed. He speaks of “the things I did not do” and “the things I did not say,” suggesting a sense of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of memory and nostalgia. The speaker is clearly deeply affected by his return to this place, and he speaks of “the old ghosts” that haunt him. He is transported back to a time when he was young and full of promise, and he is forced to confront the reality of how much has changed since then. The poem is a meditation on the power of memory to shape our lives and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices used in “Returned To Say” is the use of repetition. The phrase “I have come back” is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker’s sense of return and the importance of this moment. The repetition of the phrase “the things I did not” also serves to underscore the theme of missed opportunities and regret.
Another important literary device in the poem is imagery. The speaker describes the landscape around him in vivid detail, painting a picture of a place that is both familiar and strange. He speaks of “the old trees” and “the old ghosts,” creating a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that is gone forever. The use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the speaker’s sense of loss and regret.
Historical Context
“Returned To Say” was written in 1967, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The Vietnam War was raging, and the civil rights movement was in full swing. The poem can be seen as a reflection of the cultural moment, with its emphasis on the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of our time on earth. It is also a reminder of the toll that war and social unrest can take on individuals, as the speaker is clearly deeply affected by the changes he sees around him.
Relevance Today
Despite being written over 50 years ago, “Returned To Say” remains relevant today. In a world that is increasingly fast-paced and focused on instant gratification, the poem is a reminder of the importance of slowing down and taking the time to reflect on our lives. It is also a call to action, urging us to make the most of the time we have and to seize the opportunities that come our way.
In conclusion, “Returned To Say” is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of regret and nostalgia. Through its use of repetition and imagery, the poem conveys a sense of loss and longing for a time that is gone forever. It is a reminder of the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of our time on earth, and it remains relevant today as a call to action for all of us.
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