Selected Poems from Tanzania Institute of Education (1996)
- Building the Nation – Henry Barlow
- A Freedom Song – Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye
- Africa – David Diop
- The Dying Child – Freeman Peter Lwamba
- The Awful Dentist – Jwani Mwaikusa
- Eat More – Joe Corrie
- If We Must Die – Claude McKay
- Your Pain – Armando Guebuza
- Ballad of the Landlord – Langston Hughes
- Frontline – George Shea
EAT MORE POET: JOE CORRIE
“Eat more fruit”, the slogan says
More fish, more beef, more bread
But I’m on unemployment pay
My third year now and wed
And so I wonder when I see
The slogan when I pass
The only one that would suit me
“Eat more bloody grass”
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
Eat More is a poem which is about eating balance diet. It addresses on an individual’s feelings toward the commercial slogan which insists people to eat balance diet while most of them are poor.
What kind is this poem?
Eat More is a lyric poem. It expresses on the strong feelings of poor people about a commercial slogan which emphasizes on all people to eat balance diet while most of them are poor.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as poor person is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry, bitter and unhappy complaining on the commercial slogan which insists all people to eat balance diet while most of them are poor and cannot afford to buy items needed for balance diet.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in Eat More is angry, satirical and sad
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
–In Eat More there are themes portrayed like;
a). Balance diet
b). Unemployment
c). Poverty
d). Protest
e). Hypocrisy
f). Classes
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Personification
b). Tautology
c). Symbolism
d). Satire
e). Imagery
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Balance diet builds stronger health to people
b). Unemployment stagnates development
c). Poverty make people fail to eat balance diet
d). Protest can make people get their rights
e). Hypocrisy is not good in the society because it can lead to misunderstandings between people
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
Eat More is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Balance diet, unemployment, Poverty, Protest, Hypocrisy and Classes which are happening every day.
TITLE: BUILDING THE NATION POET: HENRY BARLOW
Today I did my share
In building the nation
I drove a permanent secretary
To an important urgent function
In fact to a luncheon at the VIC
The menu reflected its importance
Cold beer with small talk
The fried chicken with niceties
Wine to fill the hollowness of the laugh
Ice cream to cover the stereotype jokes
Coffee to keep the Ps awake on return journey
I drove the Permanent Secretary back
He yawned many times in the back of the car
Then to keep awake, he suddenly asked
Did you have any lunch friend?
I replied looking straight ahead
And secretly smiling at his belated concern
That I had not, but I was sliming
Upon which he said with seriousness
That amused more than annoyed me
Mwananchi, I too had none
I attended to matters of state
Highly delicate diplomatic duties you know
And friend it goes against my grain
Causes me stomach ulcers and wind
Ah, he continued yawning again
The pains we suffer in building the nation
So the Ps had ulcers too
My ulcers I think are equally painful
Only they are caused by hunger
Not sumptuous lunches
So two national builders
Arrived home this evening
With terrible stomach pains
The result of building the nation
Different ways
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
Building the nation is a poem which is about responsibility and irresponsibility. It addresses on the way some government leaders’ misuses their positions by using the government funds and properties for their personal benefits while citizens are responsible in building the nation.
What kind is this poem?
Building the nation is a free verse poem. It expresses the strong dissatisfaction on the idea of building the nation whereby Government officials are not building but destroying the nation while leaving the majority citizens starving with life hardship.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as Driver and Ps is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry, bitter and unhappy toward the Ps way of building the nation hypocritically.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in Building the nation is serious, angry, sarcasm and ironical
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
-In Building the nation there are themes portrayed like;
a). Responsibility
b). Misuse of resources
c). Hypocrisy
d). Selfishness
e). Classes
f). Awareness
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Irony
b). Sarcasm
c). Personification
d). Barbarism
e). Imagery
f). Tautology
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Being responsible makes people attain their daily goals
b). Irresponsibility and misuse of power stagnates development
c). Hypocrisy and selfishness are bad ideals because they divide people
d). Awareness can make people know their rights and fight for them when they are violated
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
Building the nation is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Misuse of resources, Classes, Hypocrisy and Awareness which are happening every day.
TITLE: YOUR PAIN POET: ARMANDO GUEBUZA
Your pain
Yet more my pain
Shall suffocate oppression
Your eyes
Yet more my eyes
Will be speaking about revolt
Your scars
Yet more my scars
Will be remembering the whip
My hands
Yet more your hands
Will be lifted full armed
My strength
Yet more your strength
Shall overcome imperialism
My blood
Yet more your blood
Shall irrigate our victory
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
Your Pain is a poem which is about freedom fighting or liberation struggle. It addresses on the way society members are tired of oppression, humiliation, torture and exploitation done to them by colonialists. So, the persona is one among the oppressed who encourages others to unite and fight against the oppressors.
What kind is this poem?
Your Pain is a didactic poem. It expresses on the instructions given by the persona to his/her fellows to unite and fight against their enemies in order to gain freedom.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as oppressed is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry and serious in encouraging unite among society members in order to liberate the society from oppressors.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in Your Pain is angry and serious.
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
-In Your Pain there are themes portrayed like;
a). Oppression
b). Humiliation
c). Unity and solidarity
d). Liberation or armed struggle
e). Self-sacrifice
f). Awareness
g). Protest
h). Imperialism or colonialism
i). Exploitation
j). Classes
k). Torture
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Imagery b). Tautology c). Personification d). Symbolism
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Oppression and humiliation creates fear and insecurity to people
b). Classes and exploitation between society members stagnates development
c). Unity and self-sacrifice are important tools toward any successful liberation struggle
d). Awareness can make people know their rights and fight for them when they are violated
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
Your Pain is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Oppression, Humiliation, Unity and solidarity, Self-sacrifice, Awareness, Protest, Exploitation ,Classes and Torture which are happening every day.
TITLE: IF WE MUST DIE POET: CLAUDE McKay
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot
While round us bark the mad and angry dogs
Making their mock at our accursed lot
If we must die, let us nobly die
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain then the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us through dead
O kinsmen! We must meet out common foe
Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave
And for their thousand blows, deal one death blow
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous cowardly pack
Pressed to the wall dying but fighting back.
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
If We Must Die is a poem which is about liberation struggle. It addresses on way society members are oppressed, humiliated and tortured. So, they see a needy to fight back in order to end oppression, humiliation and injustice existing in their society.
What kind is this poem?
If We Must Die is a sonnet poem. It expresses in fourteen lines on the way society members are subjected to death, so they have to die while fighting back if possible to save their lives from the death which they have to experience.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as oppressed is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry and serious because he or she encourages others to unite and fight back toward injustice prevailing in the society.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in If We Must Die is angry and serious
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
–In If We Must Die there are themes portrayed like;
a). Awareness
b). Self-sacrifice
c). Humiliation
d). Oppression
e). Protest
f). Unity and solidarity
g). Injustice
h). Classes
i). Racism
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Personification
b). Tautology
c). Rhetorical question
d). Imagery
e). Simile
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Awareness helps people to know their rights and restore them when they are violated
b). Unity and self-sacrifice are necessary tools for any person to restore his or her violated rights
c). Exploitation, humiliation and oppression propagates inequality and injustice in the society
d). Protest can make people get their rights
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
If We Must Die is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Awareness, Self-sacrifice, Humiliation, Oppression, Protest, Unity and solidarity, Injustice, Classes and Racism which are happening every day.
TITLE: FRONTLINE POET: GEORGE SHEA
Frontline
Where manhood and consciousness is tested
The only place to bury persecutions and burdens of ages
The only place to declare names of immortal
Trust me brother you will not be alone there
Frontline
Where bullets will graze on man and grass
Where man will make his own lightning and thunder
Where the enemy will fall and never to rise
Brother truly my shadow will be next to yours
Frontline
I know it is bitter but I like it
I like it particularly because it is bitter
I like it because it is where I belong
For out of bitterness comes equality, freedom and peace
I will be in front-line when the roll is called
Frontline valleys and plains of events and history
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
Frontline is a poem which is about liberation struggle. It addresses on the way a poet calls all society members to unite together to liberate themselves through armed struggle from the enemy who has oppressed and humiliated them for a long time. So, they want to fight in order to restore peace, freedom and equality in their society.
What kind is this poem?
Frontline is a free verse particularly a lyric poem. It expresses on the way society members are encouraged to unite and sacrifice their lives through fighting in the front line in order to liberate their society from humiliation, oppression and injustice which they have experienced for a long time.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as oppressed is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry and serious because he or she encourages others to unite and fight back toward injustice prevailing in the society.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in Frontline is angry and serious
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
-In Frontline there are themes portrayed like;
a). Self-sacrifice
b). Awareness
c). Unity and solidarity
d). Injustice
e). Protest
f). Oppression
g). Exploitation
h). Liberation
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Personification
b). Tautology
c). Symbolism
d). Imagery
e). Metaphor
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Awareness helps people to know their rights and restore them when they are violated
b). Unity and self-sacrifice are necessary tools for any person to restore his or her violated rights
c). Exploitation, humiliation and oppression propagates inequality and injustice in the society
d). Protest can make people get their rights
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
Frontline is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Self-sacrifice, Awareness, Unity and solidarity, Injustice, Protest, Oppression, Exploitation, Liberation which are happening every day.
TITLE: AN ABANDONED BUNDLE POET: OTHMAN MTSHALI
The morning mist
And chimney smoke
of White City Jabavu
flowed thick yellow
as pus oozing
from a gigantic sore.
It smothered our little houses
like fish caught in a net
Scavenging dogs
draped in red bandannas of blood
fought fiercely
for a squirming bundle.
I threw a brick
they bared fangs
flicked velvet tongue of scarlet
and scurried away
leaving a mutilated corpse
an infact dumped on a rubbish heap.
“Oh, baby in the manger
Sleep well
On human dung”
Its mother
had melted into the rays of the rising sun
her face glittering with innocence
her heart as pure as untrampled dew
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
An Abandoned Bundle
is a poem which is about moral erosion. It addresses on the way a certain woman throws her baby in a rubbish dump and dogs eat the child.
What kind is this poem?
An Abandoned Bundle is a free verse poem. It expresses on the way people in the society are very poor. So, poverty forces most of women to engage in prostitution where they get unwanted pregnancies; due poor life they throw their children because they are not able to take care of them.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry to a mother, sad and sympathetic to a child because this practice is very common among people today.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in An Abandoned Bundle
is angry, sad, serious and sympathetic
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
-In An Abandoned Bundle
there are themes portrayed like;
a). Environmental pollution
b). Poverty
c). Prostitution
d). Injustice
e). Abandonment
f). Racism
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Simile
b). Metaphor
c). Alliteration
d). Symbolism
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Poverty leads to immorality and injustice in the society
b). Prostitution results to unwanted pregnancy and mass killing of children in the society
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
An Abandoned Bundle
is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Environmental pollution, Poverty, Prostitution, Injustice, Abandonment and Racism which are happening every day.
TITLE: BALLAD OF THE LAND LORD POET: LANGSTON HUGHES
Landlord! Landlord!
My roof has sprung a leak
Don’t you member I told you about it
Way last week?
Landlord! Landlord!
These steps is broken down
When you come up yourself
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.
Ten bucks you say I owe you?
Ten bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s ten bucks more’n I’ll pay you
Till you fix this house up new.
What? you gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture
Throw it in the street?
Um-huh! You talking high and mighty
Talk on till you get through
You ain’t gonna be able to say a word
If I land my fist on you
Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He is trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!
Copper’s whistle!
Patrol bell!
Arrest
Precinct station
Iron cell
Headlines in press
Man threatens landlord
Tenant held no bail
Judge gives Negro 90 days in county jail
Guide questions
What is this poem all about?
Ballad of the Land Lord is a poem which is about a quarrel between a landlord and tenant. It addresses on the way a landlord is demanding his house rent and the tenant is not ready to pay the rent because the house he stays in not repaired; due to that landlord threatens to evict the tenant and the tenant threatens to beat up the landlord. The landlord being coming from the upper class, he calls the police to jail the tenant for ruining the government the thing which is not true.
What kind is this poem?
Ballad of the Land Lord
is a free verse narrative poem particularly ballad poem. It expresses on the way some powerful people and institutions favors the rich ones while mistreating, humiliating and oppressing the weak and poor ones.
Who speaks in the poem?
A poet portrayed as oppressed, humiliated and victim of racial injustice is the one who speaks in the poem. The persona is angry, hatred toward the oppressive landlord, sad and sympathetic to a tenant who is a victim of mistreatment and racial injustice done to him by Police Officers and the Judge.
What is the mood of the persona?
The mood of the persona in Ballad of the Land Lord
is angry, sad, serious and sympathetic
What are the possible themes portrayed in this poem?
-In Ballad of the Land Lord
there are themes portrayed like;
a). Awareness
b). Protest
c). Conflict
d). Exploitation
e). Oppression
f). Humiliation
g). Hypocrisy
h). Classes
i). Injustice
j). Racism
Examine the figures of speech used in this poem
a). Tautology
b). Rhetorical question
c). Hyperbole
d). Satire
e). Onomatopoeia
Identify the lessons portrayed in this poem
a). Racism leads to injustice in the society
b). Landlords should be fair to their tenants by repairing their houses for better health
c). Awareness helps people to fight for their rights as they find them violated
d). Protest is a good tool when fighting for the violated rights.
How far is this poem related to what happens in the society today?
Ballad of the Land Lord is related to what happens in the society because it portrays on issues like Awareness, Protest, Conflict, Exploitation, Oppression, Humiliation, Hypocrisy, Classes and Injustice which are happening every day.