Blessing (poem)
Encyclopedia
Blessing is a poem by Imtiaz Dharker
. It is set in a settlement in Dharavi
in India
, and it describes the pandemonium that would occur if a huge water folly
were to burst and shower the parched locals with water
. The water is described as "the voice of a kindly god", "silver" and a "blessing". Religious imagery is used throughout the poem, including the description of the clamouring locals as a "congregation".
It also uses the word 'god' without the capital letter, and this is of some significance, as it shows there could be more than one god, or that they have lost respect for their god(s). The poem has a somewhat surprising ending, even ironic by some terms. While the beginning of the poem projects the image of a godly and almost heavenly gathering, the last stanza gives readers a sudden gruesome image.
Alternatively, some see the ending as an extension of the religious imagery with its blinding light and unusual imagery, "liquid sun".
The excitement of the children shows their innocence - they simply enjoy the novelty of the floods of water. This contrasts with the pragmatic desperation of the adults who gather water for future use in any container possible.
There is a desperate irony in the arid dryness of the landscape, despite a "municipal pipe" running perhaps 6 feet under their feet.
The poem has been included in the AQA Anthology
for study at GCSE, where it appears under Cluster 1 in Poems From Other Cultures.
Imtiaz Dharker
Imtiaz Dharker is a Scottish Muslim, poet, artist and documentary film-maker.- Family and background:She was born in Lahore to Pakistani parents. She was brought up in Glasgow where her family moved when she was less than a year old...
. It is set in a settlement in Dharavi
Dharavi
Dharavi is a slum and administrative ward, over parts of Sion, Bandra, Kurla and Kalina suburbs of Mumbai, India. It is sandwiched between Mahim in the west and Sion in the east, and spread over an area of 175 hectares, or...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and it describes the pandemonium that would occur if a huge water folly
Kettle
A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a small kitchen appliance used for boiling water. Kettles can be heated either by placing on a stove, or by their own electric heating element.- Stovetop kettles :...
were to burst and shower the parched locals with water
Kettle
A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a small kitchen appliance used for boiling water. Kettles can be heated either by placing on a stove, or by their own electric heating element.- Stovetop kettles :...
. The water is described as "the voice of a kindly god", "silver" and a "blessing". Religious imagery is used throughout the poem, including the description of the clamouring locals as a "congregation".
It also uses the word 'god' without the capital letter, and this is of some significance, as it shows there could be more than one god, or that they have lost respect for their god(s). The poem has a somewhat surprising ending, even ironic by some terms. While the beginning of the poem projects the image of a godly and almost heavenly gathering, the last stanza gives readers a sudden gruesome image.
Alternatively, some see the ending as an extension of the religious imagery with its blinding light and unusual imagery, "liquid sun".
The excitement of the children shows their innocence - they simply enjoy the novelty of the floods of water. This contrasts with the pragmatic desperation of the adults who gather water for future use in any container possible.
There is a desperate irony in the arid dryness of the landscape, despite a "municipal pipe" running perhaps 6 feet under their feet.
The poem has been included in the AQA Anthology
AQA Anthology
The AQA Anthology is a collection of poems and short texts which are studied in English schools for GCSE English and English Literature, produced by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance...
for study at GCSE, where it appears under Cluster 1 in Poems From Other Cultures.