AN AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM-David Rubadiri
From the west
Clouds come hurrying with the wind
Turning sharply
Here and there
Like a plague of locusts
Whirling,
Tossing up things on its tail
Like a madman chasing nothing.
Pregnant clouds
Ride stately on its back,
Gathering to perch on hills
Like sinister dark wings;
The wind whistles by
And trees bend to let it pass.
In the village
Screams of delighted children,
Toss and turn
In the din of the whirling wind,
Women,
Babies clinging on their backs
Dart about
In and out
Madly;
The wind whistles by
Whilst trees bend to let it pass.
Clothes wave like tattered flags
Flying off
To expose dangling breasts
As jagged blinding flashes
Rumble, tremble and crack
Amidst the smell of fired smoke
And the pelting march of the storm.
, AN AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM
Questions and Answers
Stanza 1:
1. Account for the use of the word “west in the first line.
The word ‘West’ could signify western civilization and suggest that the
poet could be referring to the idea of western colonization of Africa.
2. Identify the figure of speech in line 4: “here and there”. Why is it so
effective?
The figure of speech used here is anthesis (two opposing ideas) it is
effective because it shows how chaotic or frenetic the storm is.
3. Account for the use of the word “plague” in line 5.
The word “plague” suggests something that is overwhelming/
unwanted/troubling. By comparing the hurrying crowds to a coming
plague, the speaker is suggesting that the storm is inescapable/all-
powerful/frightening.
Stanza 2:
4. What impression of the clouds is created in line 11-12: “Gathering to
perch… dark wings?
The impression of the clouds is one of a bird of prey which “perches” up
high to survey its prey (the victims of the storm). The clouds are also
compared to sinister dark wings which reinforces the image of a bird prey
and which hints at the terrible harmful violent storm to come.
5. Refer to lines 13-14: “the wind whistles…to let it pass.” Discuss the
appropriateness of this image in the context of the poem.
The image of the “wind whistling” and trees that “bend to let it pass” is
appropriate because it hints at how forceful or strong the impending
storm will be. Furthermore, the “W” alliteration in “wind whistling” also
reflects the sound created by the strong winds blowing through the trees.
From the west
Clouds come hurrying with the wind
Turning sharply
Here and there
Like a plague of locusts
Whirling,
Tossing up things on its tail
Like a madman chasing nothing.
Pregnant clouds
Ride stately on its back,
Gathering to perch on hills
Like sinister dark wings;
The wind whistles by
And trees bend to let it pass.
In the village
Screams of delighted children,
Toss and turn
In the din of the whirling wind,
Women,
Babies clinging on their backs
Dart about
In and out
Madly;
The wind whistles by
Whilst trees bend to let it pass.
Clothes wave like tattered flags
Flying off
To expose dangling breasts
As jagged blinding flashes
Rumble, tremble and crack
Amidst the smell of fired smoke
And the pelting march of the storm.
, AN AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM
Questions and Answers
Stanza 1:
1. Account for the use of the word “west in the first line.
The word ‘West’ could signify western civilization and suggest that the
poet could be referring to the idea of western colonization of Africa.
2. Identify the figure of speech in line 4: “here and there”. Why is it so
effective?
The figure of speech used here is anthesis (two opposing ideas) it is
effective because it shows how chaotic or frenetic the storm is.
3. Account for the use of the word “plague” in line 5.
The word “plague” suggests something that is overwhelming/
unwanted/troubling. By comparing the hurrying crowds to a coming
plague, the speaker is suggesting that the storm is inescapable/all-
powerful/frightening.
Stanza 2:
4. What impression of the clouds is created in line 11-12: “Gathering to
perch… dark wings?
The impression of the clouds is one of a bird of prey which “perches” up
high to survey its prey (the victims of the storm). The clouds are also
compared to sinister dark wings which reinforces the image of a bird prey
and which hints at the terrible harmful violent storm to come.
5. Refer to lines 13-14: “the wind whistles…to let it pass.” Discuss the
appropriateness of this image in the context of the poem.
The image of the “wind whistling” and trees that “bend to let it pass” is
appropriate because it hints at how forceful or strong the impending
storm will be. Furthermore, the “W” alliteration in “wind whistling” also
reflects the sound created by the strong winds blowing through the trees.
