The Return
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. It begins with a moment of recognition between two individuals, marked by a fleeting glance that evokes memories of a shared past. The imagery of a lance being sheathed suggests a conflict or struggle that has been set aside, allowing for reflection on what once was. The speaker reminisces about a time filled with hope and promise, symbolized by the "sheen of rainbows" and the joy of companionship. However, this nostalgia is contrasted with the present state of despair, where the speaker feels diminished and tormented by unrequited love. The metaphor of a "writhing worm" conveys a sense of vulnerability and degradation, highlighting the emotional toll of longing and heartache. As the poem progresses, the speaker expresses a desire to escape the pain of their current reality, wishing to retreat into the darkness to conceal their suffering. This juxtaposition of light and darkness underscores the complexity of love, where moments of joy are intertwined with profound sorrow. The work ultimately captures the bittersweet nature of memory and the enduring impact of love, even in its absence.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 123 words
First lines
Again we meet -- a flashing glance, And then, to scabbard, goes the lance, While thoughts troop on in cavalcade Adown the wide aisles time has made.
Back in the glow of yesterday, With tender troth you rode away, The sheen of rainbows in our eyes, That swept the rim of other skies.
And now a writhing worm am I, Beneath a doomed love's lensing eye, Let me but stagger, far from sight, To hide my anguish, in the night.
What this Textopian page supports
The Return is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Modernism, Symbolism
- Length: 123 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and emotional depth are central to the poem.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Modernism — The exploration of complex emotions and fragmented experiences aligns with modernist themes.
Tags
Poetry · African American Literature · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Emotion · Identity · Social Justice · Racism · Suffering · Hope · Freedom