QUIZ POEM

“Poets do not just play with words rather they have strong messages they want to convey to the society” with reference to two poems verify the statement by highlighting two messages from each poem.

Message refers to what peoples learn from a literary work. It is true that Poets do not just play with words rather they have strong messages they want to convey to the society; that is they want their audiences to learn something after reading their poems. The truth of this statement can be justified using a poem “Eat More” by Joe Corrie, and “Live and Let Die” by Kundi Faraja.

Beginning with a poem “Eat More” Joe Corrie shows the truth of the above statement by the following messages.

Unemployment is a big problem in most of African countries. The poet shows that people need to eat balanced diet but the problem is that they have not employment, so they can not earn mony that would enable them to buy good food. This is evident when the poet says;

                        But I am unemployment pay

                        My third year now and wed”

People should eat balanced diet for their better health. In the poem the persona is advising the people to eat more fruits, more fish, and more bread. This implies that the persona wants people to eat balanced diet for the benefit of their health. This can be read in the first stanza, when he says;

                        “Eat more fruits”

                        The slogans say

                        More fruits, more fish, more bread”

On the other hand, Kundi Faraja from the poem “Live and Let Die” shows the following messages.

While neo –colonialism is dominant, developing countries can not undergo further development. Neo – colonialism refers to the use of economic or political pressure by powerful countries to obtain or keep influence over other countries, especially their former colonies. The poet argues that since the big nations are using their powers in economy and political matters, the poor countries will not develop. The poet says;

                        “….Because the rich nations

                        Are not yet ready

                        To die a little

                        So that the poor nations may live”

Poverty is a big problem among the most of Africans. The persona shows that the standard of living among most of Africans is below the average. Most people are living poor life. They do not get important and necessary services at better level. Due to this children are getting kwashiorkor as a result of underfeeding.   Here the port says;

                        “One says that

                        My children are dwarfs

                        That no one seems taller

                        Than the other

                        That they never take a bath

                        That they are soiled.”

From the above messages, it is therefore evident that as poets write their work, they have messages they want to convey to the society, and if possible they want them to take an action.