Grade 12 poetry 'Poem of return' - Jofre Rocha

Poem 4 of the grade 12 prescribed poetry list.

The speaker is contemplating his upcoming return to his home country. The speaker mentions his return from exile and the anguish associated with those who died whilst oppressed. This poem is written from the perspective of an exile, someone who has had to flee their country of birth. The poem captures the sentiment and loss, lost opportunity and lost experience. He describes his 'host country' and "land of exile and silence"- this suggests that he is not happy there. He lists the things he missed while he was away and it is clear that he feels guilty about 'escaping' whilst his countrymen/women suffered. He makes it clear that he is not a hero and should not be welcomed or treated as one. He asserts that the real heroes are the ones who stayed and fought against oppression.
The poet is writing about lost opportunities, mourning and sadness brought about by colonialism, exile and war. Although this poem consists of 14 lines, it is not a sonnet.