Blessing

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Blessing

• Imtiaz Dharker

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Imtiaz Dhaker

• Born 1954 in Pakistan
• Belives that identity comes from beliefs and
  states of mind, rather than nationality or
  religion
• Poems immediate setting is in a town outside of
  Mumbai, although the town hasnt any official
  status.

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• The skin cracks like a pod.
• There never is enough water.

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Possibly personifying the ground to show how
dry it is
Simile, comparing it to a pea pod

• The skin cracks like a pod.
• There never is enough water.

This simple statement sets the scene for what
follows. The slum has no water supply of its
own.
Or describing the Dehydrated skin Cracking in
the sun
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• Imagine the drip of it,
• the small splash, echo
• in a tin mug,
• the voice of a kindly god.

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Its been so long since theyve had water,
they have to imagine it rather than remember it
Alliteration makes The sound of the Gentle drops
of water

• Imagine the drip of it,
• the small splash, echo
• in a tin mug,
• the voice of a kindly god.

Even a tiny amount makes a huge impact
The metaphor brings home that water is an
answer to their prayers
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• Sometimes, the sudden rush
• of fortune. The municipal pipe bursts,
• silver crashes to the ground
• and the flow has found
• a roar of tongues. From the huts,
• a congregation every man woman
• child for streets around
• butts in, with pots,
• brass, copper, aluminium,
• plastic buckets,
• frantic hands,

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• Sometimes, the sudden rush
• of fortune. The municipal pipe bursts,
• silver crashes to the ground
• and the flow has found
• a roar of tongues. From the huts,
• a congregation every man woman
• child for streets around
• butts in, with pots,
• brass, copper, aluminium,
• plastic buckets,
• frantic hands,

Shows how precious water is
Rhyme adds to the Sense of rushing water
Excited voices call out or personification of
the water
Religious imagery
Short lines reflect the frantic rush for water
Lack of punctuation creates a breathless effect
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• and naked children
• screaming in the liquid sun,
• their highlights polished to perfection,
• flashing light,
• as the blessing sings
• over their small bones.

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References to brightness and light create a
religious tone
Metaphor emphasises the life-giving quantities of
water

• and naked children
• screaming in the liquid sun,
• their highlights polished to perfection,
• flashing light,
• as the blessing sings
• over their small bones.

Alliteration helps make The words satisfying
Religious imagery a miracle and
personification of water
Goes with the reference to skin in line 1
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