I paced alone on the road across the field while the sunset was
hiding its last gold like a miser.
The daylight sank deeper and deeper into the darkness, and the
widowed land, whose harvest had been reaped, lay silent.
Suddenly a boy’s shrill voice rose into the sky. He traversed
the dark unseen, leaving the track of his song across the hush of
the evening.
His village home lay there at the end of the waste land,
beyond the sugar-cane field, hidden among the shadows of the banana
and the slender areca palm, the coconut and the dark green jack-
fruit trees.
I stopped for a moment in my lonely way under the starlight,
and saw spread before me the darkened earth surrounding with her
arms countless homes furnished with cradles and beds, mother’s
hearts and evening lamps, and young lives glad with a gladness that
knows nothing of its value for the world.
Short Poem Analysis
"The Home" by Rabindranath Tagore is a poem that explores the concept of home and the emotions associated with it. Through its evocative language and emotional depth, the poem delves into themes of comfort, nostalgia, and the enduring sense of belonging that a home provides.
The poem begins with the speaker's longing for a home and a sense of belonging. The opening lines express a desire to "find a home in the heart of someone" and to "nestle close to the warmth of someone's hearth." This sets the tone for the poem as a reflection on the emotional and psychological importance of having a home.
Tagore uses vivid and sensory language to describe the feelings of comfort and security that a home provides. The imagery of "softly fading light," "tender touch," and "warmth" evoke a sense of coziness and emotional connection.
The poem's central theme revolves around the idea that a home is not just a physical space but a place of emotional refuge and connection. It represents a space where one can find solace and a sense of identity.
The speaker reflects on the idea that a home is not defined by its physical attributes but by the emotions and relationships that inhabit it. The poem emphasizes the importance of emotional bonds and the feeling of being welcomed and loved in one's home.
The concluding lines of the poem underscore the idea that home is a place where one's presence is cherished, and where one can find a sense of purpose and belonging.
"The Home" is a reflective and emotionally resonant poem that celebrates the significance of having a place of belonging and emotional refuge. It invites readers to contemplate the deep emotional connections that are formed within the confines of a home and the sense of identity and purpose that it provides. The poem captures the universal longing for a place to call home, where one is loved and cherished, and where a sense of comfort and belonging is nurtured.
