Travelling

By John Frederick Freeman

Narrative Poem
    They talked of old campaigns, nineteen-fourteen     And Mons and watery Yser, nineteen-fifteen     And Neuve Chapelle, 'sixteen, 'seventeen, 'eighteen     And after. And they grumbled, leaving home,     Then talked of nineteen-nineteen, nineteen-twenty     And after.     Their thoughts wandered, leaving home     Among familiar places and known years;     Anticipating in the river, of time     Rocks, rapids, shallows, idle glazing pools     Mirroring their dark dreams of heaven and earth.     --And then they parted, one to Chatham, one     To Africa, Constantinople one,     One to Cologne; and all to an unknown year,     Nineteen-nineteen perhaps, or another year.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a thoughtful exploration of the themes of time, memory, and the aftermath of war. The repetitious listing of the years from 1914 to 1920 and beyond indicates a fixation on the past. This period corresponds with World War I and its immediate aftermath, suggesting the veterans' difficulty in moving on from their war experiences. The use of the phrase "and after" underscores the undefined, uncertain future they face.

The tone is reflective and somewhat melancholic, effectively capturing the veterans' sense of displacement and longing for familiarity. Their thoughts are depicted as wandering "Among familiar places and known years," as if they are trying to anchor themselves in the past to navigate the unpredictable currents of time – represented by the metaphor of the river with its rocks, rapids, shallows, and "idle glazing pools." This image is further deepened by the pools' reflection of their "dark dreams of heaven and earth," hinting at their internal struggles with mortality and purpose. The poem's structure, a single stanza with a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, lends a certain immutability to their experience, reinforcing the poem's themes. The ending, which sees the characters parting ways to different destinations and "an unknown year," encapsulates their collective uncertainty and the individual journeys they must undertake in the aftermath of war.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.