Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Homing" by Calvin Forbes is a poignant exploration of identity, memory, and the concept of home, wrapped within the narrative of a seemingly simple quest for water. Through the lyrical reflection of the speaker, Forbes delves into themes of displacement, racial identity, and the profound, often spiritual, connection to place that shapes one's sense of belonging.

The poem begins with a light, almost casual tone, describing a place where "The water's wonderful there / And the women aren't bad / Neither when you look at them / Twice." This setting suggests a superficial allure, enhanced on closer inspection, yet it is the water that draws the speaker's deeper interest, symbolizing a more profound attraction or connection. The simple act of drinking water from the tap becomes a catalyst for nostalgia and longing: "the blame / Lies in that glass from the tap / For making me want to go back." Water here is not just a physical thirst-quencher but a metaphorical link to the past, evoking memories and feelings of home.

The narrative then shifts to a humorous yet revealing anecdote in which the speaker, while trying to trace the source of this evocative water, gets a speeding ticket. When he identifies himself as "Mister Shine, a black ghost," the response he receives from the police officer, "that's too bad," is dismissive and underscores a theme of invisibility or marginalization often felt by African Americans. The term "black ghost" further emphasizes themes of being unseen, unacknowledged, and out of place, despite the speaker's attempts to connect with his roots.

The poem takes on a sermon-like quality as the speaker reflects on the significance of water, likening it to "family" when longing for something familiar. This comparison elevates the water to a sacred status, suggesting that like family, it is essential, cherished, and deeply missed when absent. The water making the speaker "happy" and tasting "like baby's breath, / Like dew" further personifies the water as innocent and pure, adding layers to its significance in the speaker's memory and current experience.

The final stanzas introduce a mysterious element where the speaker admits to having "stolen / This story from a dead man's mouth." This revelation adds a spectral quality to the narrative, blurring the lines between the past and present, the living and the dead. The dead man, a preacher from Virginia, links the quest for water to a spiritual journey, seeking a mythical "well of sweet water" that perhaps symbolizes an idealized home or paradise lost and yearned for, located "Somewhere in Ohio or maybe Carolina."

Forbes uses this tale to weave complex ideas about identity, history, and the African American experience, suggesting that the search for home and the quest for identity are ongoing journeys fraught with obstacles but also rich with personal and communal significance. The poem, while focused on a specific personal narrative, taps into universal themes of belonging, memory, and the search for a spiritual and physical home, making it a deeply evocative and resonant piece.

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