Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Ten Day Leave," William Meredith reflects on the profound sense of belonging and comfort that home offers, especially in contrast to the transient nature of identity and the uncertainties of the outside world. The poem presents home as a sanctuary—a place filled with love, knowledge, and stability, offering a stark contrast to the feelings of remorse and disorientation experienced elsewhere.

The poem opens with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the home and its inhabitants: "House that holds me, household that I hold dear." This line establishes a reciprocal relationship, emphasizing both the physical and emotional security the home provides. The "Woman and man at the doorway" are likely parental figures, welcoming the speaker with unconditional hospitality. The phrase "come what will" suggests that this welcome is unwavering, regardless of the circumstances.

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for this refuge: "Hospitable, more than you know I enter here." The home serves as a retreat, a place of laughter, and a source of needed love. The phrase "In retreat, in laughter, in the need of your love still" highlights the multiple roles that home plays in providing emotional sustenance and comfort.

The poem then delves into the intellectual and emotional nourishment found within the home: "This room with books and answers in the walls." The books symbolize a source of wisdom and the continuity of knowledge passed down through the years. The "answers in the walls" suggest that the very structure of the home is imbued with the lessons and truths that have shaped the speaker's understanding of the world. The speaker acknowledges a continual reference to "the lines I learned here early," indicating that the foundational teachings received at home have been a guiding force, even as later experiences have sometimes challenged or contradicted these early lessons.

As the poem continues, the speaker contrasts the stability and reassurance of home with the unsettling feelings encountered elsewhere: "More than you dream, I wake from a special dream / To nothing but remorse for miles around." This line conveys a sense of waking from comforting or idealized dreams to face a reality filled with regret or sorrow. The imagery of "miles around" emphasizes the vastness and inescapability of these feelings, suggesting a pervasive sense of disillusionment.

The stability of home is further underscored by the metaphor of "steady my bed at this unchanging scene." The "unchanging scene" represents the constancy and reliability of home, a stark contrast to the chaos symbolized by "changing dogs dispute a stranger town." This juxtaposition emphasizes the safety and predictability of home compared to the unpredictable and often hostile nature of the outside world.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the nature of identity and belonging: "Oh, identity is a traveling-piece with some, / But here is what calls me, here what I call home." This final couplet acknowledges that for many, identity is fluid and shaped by various experiences and travels. However, for the speaker, home is a fixed point—a place that calls with a deep, intrinsic pull. It represents a core aspect of the speaker's identity, offering a sense of belonging and permanence that transcends the fleeting nature of other experiences.

"Ten Day Leave" beautifully captures the essence of home as a place of refuge and a foundation for personal identity. Meredith's use of vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions conveys the deep emotional attachment to the home and the people within it. The poem highlights the contrast between the stability and comfort of home and the disorienting and often challenging nature of life outside its walls. Ultimately, it affirms the enduring significance of home as a place of love, wisdom, and constancy amidst the changing tides of life.

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