11. ‘Blessing’ — Imtiaz Dharker
Summary:
The poem describes a moment in a drought-stricken area when a water pipe bursts, and the community experiences the arrival of water as a miraculous blessing. It captures the desperation, gratitude, and joy surrounding water, showing how precious basic resources are in harsh environments.
Analysis:
- Water is presented as a symbol of life, hope, and joy — almost sacred.
- The community’s deep need is highlighted by the intense reaction to the sudden abundance.
- There’s a contrast between the dry, cracked setting and the vivid, celebratory moment of water flowing freely.
- The poem also hints at inequality — the scarcity of water shows underlying poverty and hardship.
Key Techniques:
- Vivid sensory imagery (“silver crashes to the ground”) makes the scene come alive.
- Symbolism: water as life, purity, and abundance.
- Juxtaposition between drought (“skin cracks like a pod”) and sudden wealth of water.
- Short sentences and enjambment create a rush, mimicking the sudden gushing of water.