This poem, written by Kunwar Narain, is translated from Hindi to English. This is an imaginary poem about a man who is reborn as an angel and an animal. Poet is not happy with the way people are right now. The scary tiger and the yelping puppy are the most important animals in the poem. The poet swears that in his next life, he will be completely changed into a kind man. He tells him to be kind in his thoughts and actions toward all living things. He would become peaceful, loving, helpful, caring, and not self-centered. But he isn’t sure if there is a second chance or not.
Text of the Poem
If I return this time I will return better
Not with a whisker spiked on my face Not with a steel-tail tied to my waist No, I will give way to the co-farer not glower at him with the tiger eyes of a predator
If I return this time I will return more humane
coming from home walking a lane boarding a bus catching a train not a measly animal run-over here and there
The conditional “if” at the beginning of the sentence sets the conditions for his return. If he comes back, he must come back better than he is now. This desire to return to a better life suggests that the poet may not be happy with the life he or she is living now. Even though the word “if” at the return shows that a return or rebirth is uncertain, the poet wants to go back so that he or she could possibly live a different kind of life. Because rebirth is not a sure thing, it makes the emotional need to return stronger and more intense.
The first line of the first stanza starts with “Not,” which is a negative statement that explains what he means by “I must return greater.” He must return, but not with “pointed moustaches” or “steel tails.” Both of these pictures show man and animal as tough and aggressive.
You know that brave, manly, and aggressive warriors often have moustaches with points. A group of people who are proud of their manly qualities and look down on qualities like kindness and compassion, which they think are more feminine. Tails of Steel, on the other hand, makes me think of a beast that prowls, attacks and is so fierce that other animals get scared just by being near it. But these aren’t things that the poet thinks are better. He would rather be kind and “make way for others” than scare them with “tiger-like eyes that devour” The image of a tiger here shows one extreme example of the harsh, cruel, and unforgiving side of people. The poet doesn’t like it. So, what does he want to be when he comes back to life?
The same refrain is used to start the second stanza.
If I return I must return more human.
If he comes back, he would like to be more human and less like a man who acts and thinks like a tiger. In the second line, we see a picture of another animal. The picture of a dog. The image of the tiger is very different from that of the run-over puppy. But if this time, the poet survives the sad fate of a run-over puppy, he must return back more grateful. Thankful to have made it through the troubles of city life. But unlike the scared puppy, the poet won’t just sit back and lick his wounds. He would reach out to others even when he was having trouble himself. He would care more about other people, and it is this caring that will make him fully human.
So, it’s clear that the poet doesn’t just reject the violent and aggressive higher image, but also the weak, submissive, and pitiful puppy image. The poet seems to be saying that the whole person is somewhere between being aggressive and being submissive.
The poem ends with the refrain “If I return at all.” The word “if” in the last line seems to return that, even though the poet seems to have an idea of how he would like to return, he is not very hopeful about it happening. The tone seems to show that the poet thinks there is almost no return that he will come back. There is nothing in the poem that says the poet believes in rebirth. But what is clear is that he wants men to be more human than the cruel tiger, but not less human than the whining puppy.
Human life is a great blessing and gift from nature. Whether it is happy or sad depends on the quality of life and deeds performed. Therefore, humans should strive to transition from vicious and quarrelsome animals to affectionate and loving ones.
“If I Return This Time” is a poem composed by “Kunwar Narani.” The poet believes in rebirth and has a propensity for altering his look and conduct. He also pledges to increase his compassion and love for all people. The theme of the poem may be summed up in the following ways:
Rebirth and appearance – Kunwar Narani believes in rebirth. Therefore, he states that he does not wish to have pointed moustaches in the afterlife. It renders his face terrifying. He, too, intends to become a more loving and conflict-free individual. He tends to conduct himself in a civilised manner. Kunwar Narani abhors resembling a ferocious tiger.
Change in attitude and behavior – The poet desires to change his attitude and conduct in his next incarnation. He desires to be considerate, compassionate, and sensitive. Even he denies being crushed like a puppy due to traffic congestion.
Removal of animal instinct – The poet concludes by declaring that he will never again protest about social injustice. He will never attempt to hurt a person or an animal. Despite licking his own wounds, he will endure for the benefit and service of humanity. He will eradicate animal impulse and live in harmony.
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