I read this as the child being aware of death, a figure from a land of no night, all-knowing, somewhat frightening, but ultimately simply divine. Death is swift as the wind and the child can see him. He's a powerful, glorious figure, bright and deadly at once.
The adults encourage the child to "go downstairs" to play with others, to not dwell so much on the divine and to return to a more normal "reality".
The last stanza is especially touching to me. I read it as the child saying that he will see his departed loved ones some time in the near future, as that is where he is inevitably headed, but in the meantime he will socialize, be part of the community, and not stray too far from the normal "reality".
I read this as the child being aware of death, a figure from a land of no night, all-knowing, somewhat frightening, but ultimately simply divine. Death is swift as the wind and the child can see him. He's a powerful, glorious figure, bright and deadly at once.
The adults encourage the child to "go downstairs" to play with others, to not dwell so much on the divine and to return to a more normal "reality".
The last stanza is especially touching to me. I read it as the child saying that he will see his departed loved ones some time in the near future, as that is where he is inevitably headed, but in the meantime he will socialize, be part of the community, and not stray too far from the normal "reality".