Poetry Analysis

Back to ExploreTranslate into other languages

a mango tree at the volta

English17 lines1 public analyses
English
Original Poetry
Translation
a mango tree at the volta
a mango tree at the volta
there is a gorge along the volta river in a town called akosombe
there is a gorge along the volta river in a town called akosombe
here is a wall built by a man made mad by the power
here is a wall built by a man made mad by the power
of a dream here is a fire made
of a dream here is a fire made
that swallowed three hundred and fifty-five thousand forests
that swallowed three hundred and fifty-five thousand forests
to carry four winds into a mango tree here is a reminder
to carry four winds into a mango tree here is a reminder
the water is a dangerous place for men without steady shoes
the water is a dangerous place for men without steady shoes
without praying hands without faith without silver coins
without praying hands without faith without silver coins
the water is a dangerous place for women without church hats
the water is a dangerous place for women without church hats
without a current without an emptying of their own without a pinch of salt
without a current without an emptying of their own without a pinch of salt
for the rapacious forests commanding silt from the leaving of forgotten stories
for the rapacious forests commanding silt from the leaving of forgotten stories
here is also something soft and something broken
here is also something soft and something broken
resembling a heart the soft inside-inside of the roots of the bark of
resembling a heart the soft inside-inside of the roots of the bark of
a woman who is just a woman a man who is just a man a forest
a woman who is just a woman a man who is just a man a forest
inside water an offering a long drive that does not arrive
inside water an offering a long drive that does not arrive
at yesterday and does not arrive at tomorrow and does not arrive
at yesterday and does not arrive at tomorrow and does not arrive
at anything beyond a mango tree beside a river and the dream of a man made mad
at anything beyond a mango tree beside a river and the dream of a man made mad
 

Explanation

The poem 'a mango tree at the volta' is a reflective piece that explores the intersection of human ambition, nature, and existential musings. It begins by describing a gorge along the Volta River in Akosombo, a town known for the Akosombo Dam. The imagery of a wall built by a man driven mad by dreams suggests the overwhelming power of human ambition and its potential to consume vast natural resources, as indicated by the fire that swallows forests. The poem warns of the dangers of water for those unprepared, symbolizing life's challenges without faith or resources. It reflects on the vulnerability of both men and women in the face of nature's power. The poem also touches on the theme of forgotten stories and the relentless demands of nature. The imagery of something soft and broken resembling a heart suggests the emotional toll of these endeavors. The poem concludes with a meditation on time and existence, highlighting the futility of human efforts to control nature, as symbolized by the mango tree and the river. The poem's free verse form allows for a fluid exploration of these themes, emphasizing the complexity and interconnectedness of human and natural worlds.

Word Dictionary13

WordIn EnglishPlain (English)Pron.
gorgedeep valleya deep, narrow valley with steep sidesgawj
rapaciousgreedyhaving an excessive desire for wealth or possessionsruh-pay-shuhs
resemblinglooking likelooking similarri-zem-bling
siltfine sandfine particles of sand or clay carried by watersilt
offeringgifta thing given as a giftaw-fuh-ring
madcrazyvery foolish or insanemad
commandingdemandingdemanding attentionkuh-man-ding
faithbelieftrust or belieffayth
currentflowflowing waterkur-uhnt
prayingworshippingtalking to a godpray-ing
emptyingclearing outtaking everything outemp-tee-ing
softgentlenot hard or roughsoft
barktree coveringtree's outer layerbark

Poet & Context

Poet—
EraContemporary

The poet of this piece is unknown. The poem appears to be a contemporary work, reflecting on themes of nature, human ambition, and existential reflection.

WhenUnknown, likely contemporary
WhyThe poem reflects on the impact of human ambition and the natural world, possibly inspired by the Akosombo Dam's construction and its effects on the local environment and communities.
FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes
Nature vs. Human AmbitionExistential ReflectionEnvironmental Impact
Literary devices
Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the Volta River, forests, and mango tree.Metaphor: The water as a dangerous place symbolizes life's challenges.Repetition: 'The water is a dangerous place' emphasizes the theme of danger.Personification: Forests commanding silt suggests nature's active role.Symbolism: The mango tree represents life and continuity amidst change.