Bruce Dawe's Poem Homecoming

Poet Bruce Dawe wrote the Poem Homecoming, in 1968, depicting the returning of deceased soldiers from the Vietnam War to their homes. The poem was written to convey the common theme of the horror and destruction of war, it’s main message being the last line, “They’re bringing them home, now, too late, too early.” Meaning that they are returning too late, too early in their lives, as these soldiers were most likely in their early twenties or late teens. This poem has a subtle suggestion, or connotation of disgust with those in power and who caused and initiated the war.

The mood is mainly deep regret and sadness, which is conveyed through the heavy description with the use of techniques such as onomatopoeia, e.g. Howling, Fading, Whining, …show more content…
Dawe also utilizes connotations with words, such as Howling, which suggests to the reader that the mood is sorrowful, which is also mentioned and enforced with the statement “with sorrowful quick fingers, heading south, heading east,” quickly and subtly inserting the mood into the piece, to further drive his message. Another example of this use of language is when mentioning bringing it multiple cases, such as “they’re bringing them home.” Which assumes that those that are being brought home are not taken them selves, but they are taken like objects, as a lifeless being.

In his poem, Bruce Dawe also uses multiple instances of imagery, as mentioned earlier with his use of ongoing language coupled with onomatopoeia. Imagery is also shown with similes throughout the poem, such as “in their sterile housing they tilt towards these like skiers.” The poem also acts upon our senses, sight when it states
“Surrounding them like their last movements (the mash, the