Other Cultures - Blessing

Imtiaz Dharker• Born in Pakistan, raised in Glasgow and now lives in India,

so work spans European and Indian cultures. In ‘Blessing’, trying to show Westerners what it’s like to be short of water. Writes in a free, speech-like style.

Blessing is a poem by Imtiaz Dharker.Set in a slum called Dharavi, in India. It describes the

pandemonium that would occur if a huge water tunnel 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 clamoring locals as a "congregation".

The skin cracks like a pod

There is never enough water

Imagine the drip of it,

The small splash, echo

In a tin mug

The voice of a kindly god

DUAL MEANING: Skin / ground

SIMILE: cracks - dryness

SIMPLE STATEMENT: Sets the scene for what follows

Can’t even remember water

RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE:

The answer to their prayers

Even a little drop makes a big impact. (in an empty cup, in a barren land, in

their lives)

Sometimes, the sudden rush

Of fortune. The municipal pipe bursts,

Silver crashes to the ground

And the flow has found

A roar of tongues.

Extended Metaphor: shows the value of water

RUSH: rushing water, rushing people, a feeling or

a ‘rush’

Rhyme: irregular, creates a feeling of chaos, or a rush

From the huts, A congregation: every man woman Child for streets around Butts in, with pots, Brass, copper, aluminium

Plastic buckets Frantic hands,

Religious Language: a group in church – as if they

worship the water.

Short Lines: add to the rushing feeling

RUSH: This stanza moves very quickly compared to

the imagining and religious feelings in other

stanzas

And naked children

Screaming in the liquid sun, Their highlights polished to perfection,

Flashing light,

As the blessing sings

Over their small bones.

Naked: feeling of purity, as with the water.

IMAGERY: Brightness and light… the water is like a

miracle.

ALLITERATION: brings attention to this line.

Focuses on the life-giving quality of water’

Reminds of first line:

skin and bones

BLESSING: water is seen as a gift. Many take it for

granted.

FIRST STANZA:

Focus on dryness

Dreaming / Imagining

Desperation due to lack of water

SECOND STANZA:

Water pipe bursts

Rushing / Sense of Urgency

Fast paced. People are delighted.

THIRD STANZA:

Focus on Life

Thankfulness / Happiness

Light, Blessing, Religious feelings

Questions• What is the meaning of the simile in line 1? Is it effective and why?• Look at the use of onomatopoeia in the poem.

How does the poem use them?• The poet changes the rhythm in the third stanza.

How and why?• How does the poet compare the children to the

water containers? Why?• What is the poet saying about water and religion

by using so many religious terms?• Compare the first and last stanzas: How many

differences can you spot? (Consider sound, structure, word and sentence level features.)