Page 2: The Consequences of Return

The second page of the Kamikaze poem annotated version focuses on the aftermath of the pilot's decision to return and its impact on his family and community.

The poem continues with more vivid descriptions of marine life, reinforcing the pilot's connection to his home and the natural world:

Quote: "salt-sodden, awash / with cloud-marked mackerel, / black crabs, feathery prawns, / the loose silver of whitebait and once / a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous."

These lines not only evoke the richness of life but also hint at the danger and power of nature, perhaps reflecting the pilot's own dangerous situation.

The tone of the poem shifts dramatically as it describes the pilot's return:

Quote: "And though he came back / my mother never spoke again / in his presence, nor did she meet his eyes / and the neighbours too, they treated him / as though he no longer existed"

This section reveals the severe social consequences of the pilot's decision. The use of negatives ("never," "nor," "no longer") emphasizes the totality of his rejection by society.

Highlight: The poem's perspective shifts here, revealing that the story is being narrated by the pilot's daughter, adding a layer of generational impact to the tale.

The children's initial acceptance of their father, followed by their learned silence, is particularly poignant:

Quote: "only we children still chattered and laughed / till gradually we too learned / to be silent, to live as though / he had never returned, that this / was no longer the father we loved."

This progression shows how societal pressure can affect even the most innocent and loving relationships.

The poem concludes with a haunting question:

Quote: "And sometimes, she said, he must have wondered / which had been the better way to die"

This final line encapsulates the central conflict of the poem – the choice between physical death in battle and the social death experienced upon return.

Definition: Social death - A condition where an individual, though physically alive, is treated as if they no longer exist within their community.

The Kamikaze poem context is crucial for understanding the depth of the pilot's dilemma and the severity of the consequences he faced. This Kamikaze poem Summary illustrates the complex interplay between personal choice, cultural expectations, and the long-lasting impact of wartime decisions on individuals and families.