Us (Zaffar Kunial)

This section provides analysis for the poem Us by Zaffar Kunial. In Us, Zaffar Kunial explores the concept of belonging through the fluidity and complexity of identity, community, and the tension between personal and collective experience. The poem reflects on the word "us," which encompasses multiple layers of meaning, representing both personal and collective affiliations, as well as the emotional conflicts that come with these associations. The poet's use of language and imagery conveys a struggle with defining what "us" truly means, especially in relation to national identity, cultural background, and individual self-understanding. You can read the poem below followed by detailed analysis. 

Us by Zaffar Kunial

If you ask me, us takes in undulations -
each wave in the sea, all insides compressed -
as if, from one coast, you could reach out to

the next; and maybe it’s a Midlands thing 
but when I was young, us equally meant me, 
says the one, ‘Oi, you, tell us where yer from’;

and the way supporters share the one fate -
I, being one, am Liverpool no less  -
cresting the Mexican wave of we or us,

a shore-like state, two places at once, God 
knows what’s in it; and, at opposite ends 
my heart’s sunk at separations of us,

When it comes to us, colour me unsure. 
Something in me, or it, has failed the course.
 I’d love to think I could stretch to it – us –

but the waves therein are too wide for words. 
I hope you get, here, where I’m coming from. 
I hope you’re with me on this – between love

and loss – where I’d give myself away, stranded 
as if the universe is a matter of one stress. 
Us. I hope, from here on, I can say it 

and though far-fetched, it won’t be too far wrong.

Analysis of the Poem

Themes of Identity and Belonging

The central theme of the poem revolves around the fluidity of identity and the difficulty of pinpointing where "us" lies. Kunial reflects on the different meanings of "us"—sometimes collective, sometimes individual, and sometimes uncertain. The line “Us takes in undulations - each wave in the sea, all insides compressed” presents belonging as something that is ever-changing and difficult to capture, much like the movement of the sea. This metaphor suggests that belonging is not a fixed state, but one of constant fluctuation, where individuals may feel pulled in multiple directions at once. Kunial reflects on how his own sense of belonging has shifted over time, particularly between his roots and his identity as part of a larger collective.

The speaker also reflects on the experience of being part of a group, noting, “I, being one, am Liverpool no less,” referencing a deep connection to the city of Liverpool. This highlights how identity can be shaped by local or regional affiliations. Yet, the poem is careful to show that this sense of belonging to a community also comes with its own ambiguities and tensions, particularly when it becomes entangled with ideas of national or cultural identity.

The Ambiguity of “Us”

Kunial explores the complexity of the word "us" by addressing how it can simultaneously denote inclusion and exclusion. Early in the poem, the speaker says, "Us equally meant me," reflecting the personal aspect of belonging—the idea that "us" can sometimes be synonymous with one's individual self. This shifts as the poem moves forward, and the speaker's understanding of "us" becomes more complicated. The phrase “colour me unsure” emphasises the speaker's uncertainty about their place within these broader societal or national groups.

The speaker's experience of being "Liverpool no less" reveals the pride and sense of unity that can come with group identification, yet there is an undercurrent of tension in the poem as Kunial grapples with the idea of what it means to truly be "one" with a collective. In “my heart’s sunk at separations of us,” Kunial reflects on the emotional pain and disillusionment that can accompany these divides. The word "us" becomes charged with both a longing for unity and a recognition of the separations that exist within it.

The Poetic Use of Language and Structure

Kunial’s use of language throughout the poem mirrors the fluid and shifting nature of identity and belonging. The phrase “cresting the Mexican wave of we or us” uses the image of a wave to suggest the collective experience of belonging, which can be exhilarating but is also fleeting. The image of the "Mexican wave" particularly evokes a sense of communal participation, yet also hints at the idea of something that can be easily dispersed or disrupted, much like the impermanence of group identity.

The poem’s structure—without consistent line breaks or regular rhythm—also reinforces the sense of instability and uncertainty in the speaker's exploration of belonging. The enjambment and shifts in tone create a sense of fluidity, echoing the shifting dynamics of identity and group membership. At times, the poem moves between personal reflections and more general statements, contributing to its ambivalent tone.

Love, Loss, and the Difficulty of Definition

In the final lines of the poem, Kunial seems to express a wish for clarity but acknowledges the inherent difficulty of defining belonging. The lines “I hope, from here on, I can say it / and though far-fetched, it won’t be too far wrong” express both a desire to be able to embrace the concept of “us” and a recognition that such an understanding might always be elusive. This tension is particularly poignant when paired with the earlier lines that suggest emotional distance: “I’d give myself away, stranded / as if the universe is a matter of one stress.” Kunial uses the metaphor of being "stranded" to emphasise the isolation that can come with this emotional complexity. The reference to "one stress" suggests a feeling of existential weight, where the search for belonging becomes intertwined with feelings of loss and disconnection.

Summary

Us by Zaffar Kunial offers a nuanced exploration of belonging, capturing the emotional ambivalence and complexity of identifying with a group, culture, or nation. The poem reflects on the many layers of "us," from the personal to the collective, from the sense of unity to the emotional pain of separation. Through fluid imagery and a thoughtful examination of language, Kunial conveys the difficulty of truly belonging, while acknowledging the desire for connection and the emotional toll that this search can entail. In doing so, Us invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of identity, belonging, and the tension between personal and collective selfhood.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Belonging Poetry Anthology Poems here.