Omeros is a poem in five books, crafted with a circular narrative design and titled with the Greek name for Homer. This masterpiece simultaneously charts two currents of history: the visible history captured in events such as the tribal losses of the American Indian and the tragedy of African enslavement. Alongside, it unveils the interior, unwritten epic fashioned from the suffering of the individual in exile.

Walcott's work is a profound reflection on cultural heritage and the impact of colonialism on individual and collective identities. Through its lyrical beauty and narrative depth, the poem invites readers to explore the complexities of history and memory.