Poem Analysis - Love Were Going Home Now

A Homecoming of Love

Pablo Neruda's "Love, We're Going Home Now" is a tender and reflective poem about the desire for stability and return after a period of passionate, worldly exploration. The poem begins with a gentle invitation, suggesting a mood of peaceful anticipation, and gradually deepens into a contemplation of love's essential need for rest and grounding. While the initial imagery evokes vibrant travel, the poem ultimately emphasizes the comfort and security found in a familiar, domestic space. The tone shifts from a sense of adventure to a quiet contentment.

Echoes of a Traveling Love

Neruda's poem draws upon a sense of worldly experience, referencing diverse locales like Armenia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and the Yangtze River. These places represent the vastness of the couple's shared journey, their "nomadic kisses" scattered across the globe. These place names add an air of authenticity and depth to their love, suggesting a relationship not confined by borders or limitations. By grounding the poem in specific, tangible locations, Neruda emphasizes the tangible and expansive nature of the lovers' relationship and wanderings before their return.

The Necessity of Roots

One of the central themes of the poem is the need for stability and rest within a loving relationship. The imagery of "blind birds to their wall, / To their nest in a distant spring" powerfully conveys the instinctive pull towards home. Love, Neruda suggests, "cannot always fly without resting." This idea subverts the romantic notion of perpetual adventure, arguing that true love also requires a foundation, a sanctuary. The "wall" and "rocks of the sea" are not barriers, but rather grounding forces that provide a sense of belonging and continuity.

Kisses Coming Home

The poem uses the image of "kisses" as a recurring symbol of the couple's love and its journey. The "nomadic kisses wandered over all the world," suggesting a playful and adventurous aspect to their affection. However, the final line, "Our kisses head back home where they belong," reinforces the idea that even the most passionate expressions of love ultimately seek a place of comfort and familiarity. The journey of the kisses mirrors the journey of the lovers, highlighting the transformative and grounding power of returning home. This could be interpreted as not just a physical homecoming, but also an emotional one – a return to the deepest, most secure aspects of their connection.

The Comfort of the Vine

The image of the "vines clambering over the trellis" acts as a potent symbol of growth, connection, and domesticity. It suggests a space that is both wild and cultivated, a natural environment that has been shaped by human presence. The honeysuckle, with its sweet scent and delicate blossoms, further enhances this sense of warmth and intimacy. The vine represents the enduring nature of love, its ability to thrive and flourish in a specific location. It reinforces the theme that love finds its most meaningful expression not in endless wandering, but in the nurturing of shared roots.

Finding Peace in the Familiar

In conclusion, "Love, We're Going Home Now" is a poignant exploration of love's cyclical nature. It acknowledges the allure of adventure and worldly experience, but ultimately emphasizes the importance of finding a place of rest and belonging. The poem’s enduring image is that of love finding solace and strength in the familiar comfort of home, represented by the vine-covered trellis and the promise of a shared future rooted in a single place. The poem highlights the idea that true love encompasses both exploration and a deep, abiding sense of connection to a shared space and history.