African Thunderstorm By David Rubadiri

African Thunderstorm [Quiet literally the poem you are going to hate either the most or second most... not because of the content- its a well structured and written poem- but because the teachers are going to reference it almost every single time for an essay or whatever they need a reference for smh]

The Dictation used in free verse is to capture the quick movements as much as possible in a short sentence. One word sentences are used to portray how quickly the storm happens.. THus it has no pattern or rhyme scheme but is very detailed.

Line breakdowns;

Title; → An african thunderstorm← 

• It contrasts two things/ideas that occur differently.

• THe storm is destructive yet fascinating to the readers.

→ Lines; Stanza 1← 

Verse/ Stanza 1 shows the coming together of the storm;

Clouds come hurring with the winds;

• Shows the unpredictable nature of the storm.

Turning, Sharply;

• Emphasises the movement of the approaching storm, suspense hangs in the air like quick nature.

Like a plague of locusts;

• A simile showing the destructive nature of the storm along with its movement.

Tossing up things on its tail;

• Picking up more clouds as it gets larger.

Like a madman chasing nothing;

• Simile used to show the unruly movement of the winds

Pregnant clouds;

• A metaphor used to show the clouds getting bigger and biggers as if it were a pregnant lady with a baby growing in her stomach.

Ride stately on its back;

• Personification example which shows the shaping of the hurricane like a cone shape.

Like dark sinister wings;

• A simile used to show the evil look of the hurricane's appearance. As it is hovering over and threatening.

The winds whistled by, And trees bend to let it pass;

• It appears as if the trees move out of the hurricane's path, as well as show repetition as it has not hit yet yet the winds power is overwhelming.

→ Stanza/Verse 2← 

This stanza takes place in the village and what is happening along with their preparation. It mainly shows the vulnerability of the person and how they are afraid of what is to come.

*Screams of delighted children

• This line shows the innocence of the children as they are not aware of the destruction and dangers the storm brings with it.

 *Toss and turn 

*In the din of the wind;

• These *three lines portray the  delight of the children for the storm that they wish to play in despite the worry of their parents.

Dart about, In and out

• These two lines show the vulnerability of the villagers and emphasises on it to show the power of the storm.

The mad winds whirls by, And trees bend to let it pass;

• The line is repeated to show the storm is still going on and all the persons can do is wish to be safe.

And the pelting march of the storm;

• Rain starts falling then leaves the story in a cliffhanger which leaves suspense to end off the story.

Literary Devices used;

• Simile;

• “Like a plague of locusts, ” the storm is coming with a destructive force

• “Like a madman chasing nothing.” Show the chaotic movement of the storm

• “Like sinister dark wings;” showing the harshness and “evil” of the storm

• Imagery;

• “From the west

• Clouds come hurrying with the wind

• Turning sharply

• “…on their backs Dart about In and out”.

• “Clothes wave-like tattered flags Flying off”

• Onomatopoeia;

• “Rumble, tremble and crack”

• “The wind whistles”

• Personification ;

• ”Pregnant clouds,” not literal pregnant clouds but clouds filled with fain

• The wind whistles

Themes

• Nature

• Man vs nature

• Colonization/Colonialism

Natural Elements used;

•  Clouds

• Wind

• Tree

• Thunder

• Lightening

• Rain

Nature working together to bring about the hurricane or the natural phenomenon as the common link  of nature is the steadfast and persistence of nature.