Blessing

1
Use of simile to create the image of a dry
ground our first clue as to the type of country
the poem is from
Blessing The skin cracks like a pod.There never
is enough water. Imagine the drip of it,the
small splash, echoin a tin mug,the voice of a
kindly god.
The splash is compared to the voice of a
kindly god
The poem then uses a metaphor to compliment the
title by describing how the people see water as a
gift from God
2
Municipal pipe suggests that there actually is
water in the country! Where does this go? To
the rich perhaps?
Sometimes, the sudden rushof fortune. The
municipal pipe bursts,silver crashes to the
groundand the flow has founda roar of tongues.
From the huts,a congregation every man
womanchild for streets aroundbutts in, with
pots,brass, copper, aluminium,plastic
buckets,frantic hands,
The water is now likened to silver because of
how it looks when the sun reflects from it. This
image also suggests the value of the water by
comparing it to a precious metal.
The word congregation is usually used for a
group of people who attend church, therefore
adding to the religious theme.
3
and naked childrenscreaming in the liquid
sun,their highlights polished to
perfection,flashing light,as the blessing
singsover their small bones.
The final section of the poem is largely
descriptive. The image is one of happy children
rejoicing as they have some relief from the
intense heat.