Blessing Flashcards
Blessing (title)
Religious connotations - introduces the idea of the poem being about a gift from a divine entity
The skin cracks like a pod
“Skin cracks” - repetition of the k sound mimics the dry landscape
Simile - suggests physical damage from lack of water, shows the extreme nature of the situation
Comparison to a seed “pod” - links humanity to the powerful effect of nature
Imagine the drip of it
“Imagine” - imperative - encourages reader to empathise with those suffering, also suggests water has become a figment of the imagination
Small splash, echo
Highlights the scarcity of water - romanticising such small amounts of it (imagine the “small splash”)
“Echo” - shows the emptiness of the container for the water
In a tin mug
Internal rhyme - mimics the sound of dripping water
Voice of a kindly god
Metaphor - gives the presence of water divine status
The sudden rush
Sibilant phrase - mirrors the sound of water
Silver crashes to the ground
Metaphor (water = “silver”) - comparison to a precious metal emphasises water’s importance
From the huts
Reminder of deprivation - reader questions whether the lack of water is due to climate change or economic inequality
A congregation (comes to get water)
“Congregation” - religious connotations - emphasises the religious nature of the experience
Every man woman
child
Lack of commas - mimics the rush of water and people
Frantic hands
“Frantic” - suggests desperation and hysteria (strong emotional response to water)
Naked children screaming… small bones
Vulnerability - reminds the reader of the poverty, suffering and fragility of the children
The blessing sings
Personification - illustrates the importance of the water, and a reminder of its scarcity
Structure
Free verse - the stanzas flow like water
Lack of consistent rhyme scheme - reflects the fragility and inconsistency of the people’s lives
Short sentences in the first stanza (which is only two sentences) - reflects the scarcity of water, may also convey the speaker’s attempt to conserve energy as heat and lack of water may make it difficult for them to communicate
