The human spirit, particularly when burdened by adversity, often seeks solace and a return to origins, to a place of truth and peace. In "The Return," a poignant poem attributed to Little Heart Flower, we encounter a voice weary from hardship, a spirit yearning for reconnection with ancestral roots and the fundamental elements of existence. The poem, steeped in imagery of nature and introspection, paints a vivid picture of a journey homeward, a transition from earthly suffering to spiritual reunion.
The poem opens with a stark depiction of despair. The speaker, downtrodden "in this valley of great hunger," immediately establishes a landscape of deprivation, both physical and spiritual. This "valley" isn’t merely a geographical location; it’s a metaphor for the hardships and injustices endured, a place where sustenance, both literal and figurative, is scarce. The phrase "great hunger" suggests a deep-seated longing, a yearning that goes beyond mere physical needs. It speaks to a hunger for belonging, for meaning, and for justice.
The speaker’s "wounded spirit" lies "dry upon the barren floor of life," further emphasizing the desolation. The dryness implies a lack of emotional nourishment, a spiritual drought that has left the spirit vulnerable and exposed. The "barren floor of life" suggests a lack of fertility, a wasteland where growth and renewal are impossible. This image evokes a sense of profound emptiness and disillusionment.
The physical description of the speaker, "My skin a withering road map," adds another layer of meaning. The skin, once a protective barrier, has become a "road map," etched with the marks of time and hardship. The word "withering" suggests decay and vulnerability, hinting at the physical toll that suffering has taken. The "road map" imagery implies a journey, a life lived and experienced, but also suggests a sense of being lost or directionless. The speaker’s body, like the landscape around them, reflects the scars of a difficult past.
The poem then shifts to an invocation of the elements, specifically the wind and the stars. "Eastern winds around me blow," suggesting a connection to tradition and heritage. The east is often associated with beginnings, with the rising sun and the promise of a new day. However, this hope is immediately tempered by the line, "While in the north no more does my star glow." The north, often associated with guidance and stability, has become a source of darkness and uncertainty. The "star" symbolizes hope, direction, and perhaps even destiny. Its extinguished light signifies a loss of purpose and a sense of being adrift.
The imagery of darkness continues with "Dark cloud is at my door / in this my house made of evening light." The "dark cloud" represents impending doom or sorrow, casting a shadow over the speaker’s dwelling. The "house made of evening light" is a poignant image, suggesting fragility and impermanence. Evening light is beautiful but fleeting, a reminder of the transience of life. The house, a symbol of shelter and security, is vulnerable to the encroaching darkness.
Despite the overwhelming sense of despair, the speaker finds a moment of clarity and connection. "I see the universe. / I see myself." This is a pivotal moment of self-awareness, a recognition of one’s place within the grand scheme of things. It’s a moment of profound introspection, a turning inward to confront the reality of existence. In seeing the universe, the speaker gains perspective; in seeing themselves, they acknowledge their own being and their own journey.
The poem then transitions to a theme of acceptance and surrender. "It is in the wind that gifts me life / and when it ceases with my ancestors i go." The wind, previously a symbol of change and perhaps even disruption, now becomes a source of life and connection. It is the wind that carries the spirit, both in life and in death. The phrase "with my ancestors i go" suggests a belief in the continuity of the spirit, a return to a lineage and a tradition. Death is not seen as an end but as a transition, a reunion with those who came before. The Return to ancestral roots is a comforting prospect.
"As my interior becomes cool / i return to that where false never was." The cooling of the interior suggests a quieting of the emotions, a release from the turmoil of earthly existence. The phrase "that where false never was" speaks to a realm of pure truth and authenticity, a place untainted by the deceptions and betrayals of the world. This is a return to a state of innocence and wholeness, a shedding of the burdens of the past.
The final lines of the poem offer a powerful image of transcendence. "Over the line where sky kisses earth / as a spirit / i return." The line where "sky kisses earth" represents the horizon, the boundary between the physical and the spiritual realms. It is a place of transition, a threshold between two worlds. The speaker, as a spirit, crosses this boundary, returning to a state of pure being. This is The Return in its ultimate form, a liberation from earthly constraints and a reunion with the divine.
The simplicity and evocative language of The Return contribute to its emotional power. Little Heart Flower’s use of natural imagery – the valley, the wind, the stars, the sky, the earth – grounds the poem in a sense of place and connects the speaker to the natural world. This connection to nature reinforces the theme of returning to origins, to a simpler and more authentic way of being.
The poem also explores themes of identity, loss, and resilience. The speaker’s journey is one of confronting hardship, acknowledging pain, and ultimately finding peace in the acceptance of death and the promise of spiritual reunion. The poem’s message is one of hope, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of The Return to a place of truth, peace, and belonging.
Ultimately, "The Return" is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, its capacity to endure suffering and to find solace in the face of adversity. It is a poem that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level, reminding us of our shared humanity and our universal longing for connection, meaning, and ultimately, a return to the source of all being.