Blessing by Imtiaz Dharker Essay -- Blessing Imtiaz Dharker Poems Poet

Blessing by Imtiaz DharkerImtiaz Dharkers poem can be read in two way of lifes. A straightforward reading material magnate suggest that the poem is simply a description of anincident when a pipe stand ups and people run excitedly for the piss.A more(prenominal) considered reading, however, would depict the poem as being moreominous and disturbing.Under the presumable good fortune and excitement of the scene are darkerideas about the need and superstition of the people in the poetsnative country.It is the second reading we will be exploring in this revisionprogramme.Either way, the attitude to pee in the poem should make us in theWest ask at how much we all take for granted, and how too often we mishandle the earths resources.Dharker paints for the reader a vivid scene use ocular and auralimagery.For instance, after opening with a powerful visual image, the poetgoes on to make us hear the smallest noise echo/ in a tin mug,before upping the sound level with the ululate of tongues as peopledescend on the pipe.The title of the poem appears to be ironic.These people are not blessed - they have little water of their own.Only superstition could lead them to count this municipal pipe burstas a blessing.In reality, it shows the poor state of the pipes, part of the metropolissbasic infrastructure, pipes that should be carrying water to thepeople. The fact that the people have it off in huts, that the children arenaked and that everyone is frantic for the water tell us a jackpotabout the living conditions.There is a lot of sensual imagery in this poem. Mainly we hear and seethe flowering scene.These details show us what the peoples lives are like. In thefollowing table are whatsoever of the vis... ... darker, andharder hitting.The layers of the poem reflect the way different people will see thesame scene/culuture differently. attitudeThe poet appears at first to be objective, describing but notcommenting on the incident. And to some extent she leaves the readerto decide the feeling and meaning of the poem. Perhaps though there ishorror and pity in that opening image of scratch up cracking like a pod.To me the poem seems like a lament for the poverty of these people andfor the value system that keeps them poor, yet dispirited and thankful.StyleDharker uses sensual imagery to evoke the scene, and builds the rhythmof the poem into a crescendo at the bursting of the pipe. She uses anextended metaphor, comparing water to a god. She makes linespurposely ambiguous, uncertain, so that the scene can beinterpreted in more than one way.