The voice
Lesedi Nkhobo's poem 'The Voice' is a meditation on the redemptive power of a divine or musical presence. The poem opens with the image of a 'chord' that reaches like wings, suggesting a celestial or transcendent quality. This chord is likened to the gentle sounds of leaves kissing in the wind, creating an atmosphere where beauty resides and creatures seek solace.
The poem continues by describing how this voice pours 'golden music notes in bowls,' a metaphor for offering spiritual nourishment. The music is depicted as a remedy for fear and spiritual dryness, likened to 'drying tongues with wilting mummy souls.' This imagery evokes a sense of spiritual desolation that the voice seeks to heal.
Emotionally, the poem moves from a state of longing and spiritual thirst to one of hope and redemption. The arrival of the voice is anticipated as a moment of grace, where sins are cast off, symbolized by the removal of 'thorny crowns.' The tone is hopeful and reverent, emphasizing the transformative power of grace.
Nkhobo employs metaphors and imagery to convey the poem's themes. The 'thorny crowns of sins' and 'seeds of hate' are vivid images that illustrate the burdens of guilt and animosity. The use of sound imagery, such as 'kissing leaves,' enhances the poem's serene and contemplative mood.
Ultimately, 'The Voice' speaks to the potential for spiritual renewal and the softening of sin through divine or artistic intervention. It reflects a universal longing for redemption and the joy that comes with spiritual awakening, fitting well within the themes of contemporary spiritual poetry.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| astounds | amazes | surprises greatly | uh-stounds |
| heav'nly | heavenly | like heaven | hev-un-lee |
| beseech | beg | ask earnestly | bih-seech |
| silver times | peaceful times | times of peace and tranquility | sil-ver times |
| pour | flow | cause to flow | poor |
| wilt | droop | become weak | wilt |
| mummy | preserved body | dried and preserved body | mum-ee |
| thorny crowns | painful burdens | symbols of suffering | thorn-ee crowns |
| grins | smiles | broad smiles | grins |
| saints’ delight | holy joy | joy of the holy ones | saints dee-light |
Lesedi Nkhobo is a contemporary poet whose works are not widely documented in major literary sources. Little is known about their background or literary contributions.