Summary
"Heaven," found near the conclusion of Frameless Windows, Squares of Light, explores themes of identity and heritage with a tender touch. The poet, now a parent, reflects on a comment by her young son, with his father's blond hair, who innocently muses about "going to China" after death. This notion prompts the poet to delve into broader reflections on ethnicity and familial ties, tracing a journey from past generations to the present.
A Child's Imagination
In this poignant poem, the poet's son's innocent belief that they will travel to China in the afterlife sparks a moment of contemplation. The mother envisions "a Chinese heaven" and imagines her son reaching out, his hand "spanning like a bridge." This vivid image prompts her to ponder how her son conceived such an idea, especially since she herself has never set foot in China. This reflection stirs questions of identity, leading her to recall a historical narrative—of a young boy who once traveled from southern China to America for the promise of work in the gold mines and on the railroads.
Tracing Historical Roots
The poet's ruminations weave together personal and historical threads, connecting her son’s innocent musings with the larger story of immigration and cultural heritage. She reflects on the journey of a Chinese boy to the United States, aimed at achieving prosperity, only to find his stay extended indefinitely. This historical context enriches the poem, highlighting a persistent theme of return—a yearning embedded in bloodlines but lying dormant through generations.
The Notion of Return
With the child's simple thought acting as a catalyst, the poet acknowledges, "It must be in the blood, this notion of returning." This realization, she notes, "skipped two generations, lay fallow," suggesting a deep-seated connection to the past that remains unmarked, like "the garden an unmarked grave." The poet's musings lead to a poignant moment where she calls her children to gaze at the "mountains shimmering blue above the air," bridging the past with the future.
Innocence and Identity
One of the striking themes in "Heaven" is the innocence of a child's perspective, juxtaposed with complex notions of identity and heritage. Despite a previous commitment to avoid writing on Asian American themes, the poet's line "it must be in the blood" suggests a reconsideration of this stance. This assertion subtly challenges her earlier viewpoint, bringing to light the symbolic nature of returning to China rather than a literal journey.
Questions of Ethnicity
The poem raises significant questions about the integration of ethnicity into the American narrative. As Asian American writers have strived to affirm their place as Americans, Song’s poem adds a layer of inquiry: Is it feasible or even desirable to extricate ethnic heritage from the American experience? Her exploration signals a shift, focusing not only on past experiences but also looking ahead to the implications for future generations.
Forward-Looking Reflections
"Heaven" marks a departure from the poet's earlier, retrospective depictions of the Asian American experience. By centering on her children's future, she opens up a forward-looking dialogue about identity. The poem's ability to broach such a provocative topic suggests a new phase in the exploration of identity among Asian American writers, highlighting the evolving quest for self-understanding and cultural integration.
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