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.)