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TEN-DAY LEAVE, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"Ten-Day Leave" by William Meredith is a heartfelt poem addressed to the speaker's parents, capturing the emotions and reflections experienced during a brief return home. The poem conveys a deep sense of attachment and nostalgia, contrasting the stability and comfort of home with the uncertainties of the outside world. Through intimate and evocative language, Meredith explores themes of family, identity, and the enduring significance of one's roots.

The poem opens with an invocation to the speaker's parents: "House that holds me, household that I hold dear, / Woman and man at the doorway, come what will." This line immediately establishes a strong emotional connection to the physical and emotional space of home. The repetition of "holds" emphasizes the mutual bond and support between the speaker and the household. The parents, standing at the doorway, symbolize a welcoming presence, ready to receive the speaker regardless of circumstances.

The speaker acknowledges the hospitality and love provided by the parents: "Hospitable, more than you know I enter here, / In retreat, in laughter, in the need of your love still." These lines highlight the multifaceted nature of the speaker's return—seeking refuge, joy, and the enduring need for parental love. The phrase "more than you know" suggests that the depth of the speaker's feelings and appreciation may not be fully recognized by the parents.

Meredith then reflects on the lasting influence of the home environment: "More perhaps than you fancy, fancy finds / This room with books and answers in the walls." The "room with books" symbolizes a space of knowledge and learning, where the speaker finds both literal and metaphorical "answers." The reference to "answers in the walls" suggests that the very structure of the home holds wisdom and memories. The speaker acknowledges that their early teachings may have evolved or been questioned over time—"I have continual reference to the lines / I learned here early, later readings false"—indicating a journey of growth and reevaluation.

The poem shifts to a more introspective tone as the speaker describes waking from a "special dream" to a sense of remorse: "More than you dream, I wake from a special dream / To nothing but remorse for miles around." This moment of waking suggests a confrontation with reality and the acknowledgment of past mistakes or regrets. The phrase "for miles around" conveys an overwhelming sense of guilt or loss, extending far beyond the immediate surroundings.

Despite this remorse, the speaker finds solace in the familiar and unchanging nature of home: "And steady my bed at this unchanging scene / When the changing dogs dispute a stranger town." The "unchanging scene" of home provides a stable anchor amidst the turmoil and unpredictability of life, represented by the "changing dogs" in a "stranger town." This contrast underscores the comfort and security found in the known and familiar, even as the external world shifts and changes.

The poem concludes with a reflection on identity and belonging: "Oh, identity is a traveling-piece with some, / But here is what calls me, here what I call home." Meredith suggests that while identity can be fluid and transient for some—"a traveling-piece"—for the speaker, it is deeply rooted in the concept of home. The final lines affirm the importance of this connection, emphasizing that the essence of the speaker's identity and sense of belonging is tied to this place and the love and memories it holds.

"Ten-Day Leave" is a tender and introspective poem that captures the emotional landscape of returning home. Meredith eloquently conveys the enduring importance of family and the physical space of home as sources of comfort, wisdom, and identity. The poem explores the complexities of personal growth and the reassessment of one's past, while ultimately affirming the significance of the stable and loving environment provided by the speaker's parents. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Meredith creates a poignant meditation on the timeless and grounding nature of home.


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