Venice masks

Thursday 14 January 2021

A Sudden Storm - Pius Oleghe

The wind howls; the trees sway,
The loose housetop sheets clatter and clang; 
The open window shuts with a bang,
And the sky makes night of day.

Helter skelter, the parent run,
Pressed with a thousand minor cares,
Hey, you there! Pack up the house wares, 
And where on earth is my son?

Home skip the little children;
Where have you been you naughty boy? 
But the child feels nothing but joy,
For he loves the approach of rain.

The streets clear; the houses fill,
The noise gathers as the children shout
To rival the raging wind without,
And naught that can move is still.

A bright flash, a lighted plane,
Then from the once blue heavens,
Accompanied by noise that deafens.
Steadily pours the rain.

Pius Oleghe (20th century) Nigeria
Source: The Celebration of Nature by East African Poets: A Focus on Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Jedidah Kibutu, MA Thesis, University of Nairobi, 2012

8 comments:

  1. I just leatnt it in and it's so amazing

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  2. I am having a quiz and i am reciting this poem

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  3. What dominant sound device has been used in the first stanza

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  4. What is the theme of this poem

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  5. I recited this poem in primary school back in 1994. Good memories

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  6. i am being forced to read this in english

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  7. Ricited black to 85

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