At fifteen I went with the army
At fourscore I came home
On the way I met a man from the village
I asked him who there was at home
"That over there is your house
All covered over with trees and bushes
Rabbits had run in at the dog-hole
pheasants flew down from the beams og the roof
In the courtyard was growing some wild grain
And by the well,some wild mallows
I'll boil the grain and make porridge
I'll pluck the mallows and make soup
Soup and porridge are both cooked
But there is no one to eat,them with
I went out and looked towards the east
The Poet:
This is Chinese poem written by an unknown poet.
It was translated into English by Arthur Waley.
Content:
This is a poem that contains a strong comment on the bad effects of the destructive war.The speaker of the poem is an old soldier who had devoted 65 years of his life in the battle field.
The speaker goes to war at the age of 15 years and he returns home at the age of 80 years.He has spent his youth and middle age in the battle field.
On his return from the military service to see his dear ones,he is greatly disappointed because there is no one at home.The house is deserted and covered with weeds.It is noe occupied by rabbits and pigeons.
On his way home he meets a man from the village.When he inquires from the villager,he gives the following answer.
" That over there is your house
All covered over with trees and bushes"
After all he must live here.so he plucks the mallows and makes a porridge and soup.But there is no one to share it with.
"soup and porrige are both cooked
But there is no one to eat them with"
Theme :
Loneliness
Techniques :
Simple diction
Imagery
repetition-I'll, grain,mallows
Rhyme Pattern
No definite rhyme pattern-free verse.
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