Return by Robert Graves (1967)
The work explores themes of exile, longing, and the interplay between nature and human emotion. The speaker reflects on a seven-year curse that has forced them away from a beloved homeland, filled with rich imagery of nature, such as mulberry and apple trees, contrasting with the harshness of a barren landscape. The speaker expresses a desire for liberation from this curse, while also implying that the burden of suffering will be passed on to another, suggesting a cycle of pain and retribution. The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of the natural world, highlighting the beauty and tranquility of the speaker's former home, juxtaposed against the desolation of their current existence. The speaker's thoughts reveal a deep connection to the land, evoking nostalgia and a yearning for peace that transcends personal suffering. The imagery of animals and the landscape serves to emphasize the contrast between the speaker's memories and their present reality. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with feelings of bitterness and a desire for revenge against those who have wronged them. However, there is also a call for forgiveness and a wish for the other to experience the same hardships, suggesting a complex emotional landscape where pain and empathy coexist. The conclusion hints at a resolution, advocating for release from animosity and a return to a state of peace, albeit one that acknowledges the scars of the past. Overall, the work encapsulates the struggle between personal anguish and the hope for redemption, framed within the context of nature's enduring beauty and the cyclical nature of suffering. The speaker's journey reflects a universal quest for belonging and the desire to reconcile with one's past.
By Robert Graves · First published 1967 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 350 words
First lines
The seven years' curse is ended now That drove me forth from this kind land, From mulberry-bough and apple bough And gummy twigs the west-wind shakes, To drink the brine from crusted lakes And grit my teeth on sand.
The load that from my shoulder slips Straightway upon your own is tied, You, too, shall scorch your finger-tips, With scrabbling on the desert's face Such thoughts I had for this green place, Sent scapegoat for your pride.
What this Textopian page supports
Return is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Graves, dated 1967 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Graves
- Date: 1967 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature, Philosophical, Romanticism
- Length: 350 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature — Themes of nature and the natural world are prevalent throughout the poem.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deeper themes of fate, forgiveness, and existential reflection.
Tags
return · poetry · Robert Graves · nature · forgiveness · despair · hope · loss · redemption · journey · conflict · identity