Namaqualand after Rain - Plomer
IEB 2025
Again the veld revives, Imbued with lyric rains,
And sap re-sweetening dry stalks
Perfumes the quickening plains;
Small roots explode in strings of stars,
Each bulb gives up its dream,
Honey drips from orchid throats,
Jewels each raceme;
The desert sighs at dawn -
As in another hemisphere
The temple lotus breaks her buds.
On the attentive air -
A frou-frou of new flowers,
Puff of unruffling petals,
While rods of sunlight strike pure streams
From rocks beveined with metals:
Far in the gaunt karroo
That winter earth denudes,
Ironstone caves give back the burr
Of lambs in multitudes;
Grass waves again where drought
Bleached every upland kraal,
A peach-tree shoots along the wind
Pink volleys through a broken wall,
And willows growing round the dam
May now be seen
with all their traceries of twigs
Just hesitating to be green,
Soon to be hung with colonies
All swaying with the leaves.
Of pendent wicker love-nests
The pretty loxia weaves.
, - "again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life in the
veld, suggesting that this revival happens repeatedly,
- The line describes how the veld (a type of open country)
comes back to life after being nourished by the rain.
- The word "revives" suggests the veld has been lifeless,
but now it flourishes.
Again the veld revives, - The phrase "lyric rains" connects rain with music,
Imbued with lyric rains, implying the rain has a beautiful, almost poetic quality.
- The rain is not just a physical phenomenon but a symbol
of renewal and life.
- This line uses personification, as the rain is described
as "lyric," giving it human-like qualities.
- The punctuation used is a comma, which separates two
related ideas, indicating a brief pause to enhance the
meaning.
- "Imbued" means thoroughly infused or filled with
something.
- The line refers to the process of life returning to the
plants after the rain.
- The word "re-sweetening" suggests that the sap is
restoring the vitality of the dry stalks, symbolizing
renewal.
- This can be understood as a metaphor for revival and
hope, where the rain breathes new life into the parched
And sap re-sweetening dry land.
stalks - The dry stalks symbolize struggle and drought, while
the sap represents nourishment and growth.
- The alliteration of "sap" and "sweetening" creates a
rhythmic flow, emphasizing the rejuvenation.
- The imagery of sap bringing sweetness to dry plants
invokes a sense of relief and rejuvenation.
- This line uses personification, as the sap is described as
re-sweetening, giving it human-like qualities. There is no
punctuation to analyze in this specific line.
- This line refers to the scent released by the vegetation
as it comes to life after the rain.
- The word "quickening" suggests the vitality and
renewed growth of the land.
- The "perfume" signifies the rich, fresh scent that
Perfumes the quickening accompanies this revival. This can evoke a sense of
plains; nature's rejuvenation and beauty.
- The line uses imagery, painting a vivid picture of a lush,
fragrant landscape.
- There is also personification, as the land is described as
"quickening" or coming to life.
- The flow of the words suggests an ongoing, continuous
action, which might align with enjambment (the
continuation of a thought or sentence beyond the line).
IEB 2025
Again the veld revives, Imbued with lyric rains,
And sap re-sweetening dry stalks
Perfumes the quickening plains;
Small roots explode in strings of stars,
Each bulb gives up its dream,
Honey drips from orchid throats,
Jewels each raceme;
The desert sighs at dawn -
As in another hemisphere
The temple lotus breaks her buds.
On the attentive air -
A frou-frou of new flowers,
Puff of unruffling petals,
While rods of sunlight strike pure streams
From rocks beveined with metals:
Far in the gaunt karroo
That winter earth denudes,
Ironstone caves give back the burr
Of lambs in multitudes;
Grass waves again where drought
Bleached every upland kraal,
A peach-tree shoots along the wind
Pink volleys through a broken wall,
And willows growing round the dam
May now be seen
with all their traceries of twigs
Just hesitating to be green,
Soon to be hung with colonies
All swaying with the leaves.
Of pendent wicker love-nests
The pretty loxia weaves.
, - "again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life in the
veld, suggesting that this revival happens repeatedly,
- The line describes how the veld (a type of open country)
comes back to life after being nourished by the rain.
- The word "revives" suggests the veld has been lifeless,
but now it flourishes.
Again the veld revives, - The phrase "lyric rains" connects rain with music,
Imbued with lyric rains, implying the rain has a beautiful, almost poetic quality.
- The rain is not just a physical phenomenon but a symbol
of renewal and life.
- This line uses personification, as the rain is described
as "lyric," giving it human-like qualities.
- The punctuation used is a comma, which separates two
related ideas, indicating a brief pause to enhance the
meaning.
- "Imbued" means thoroughly infused or filled with
something.
- The line refers to the process of life returning to the
plants after the rain.
- The word "re-sweetening" suggests that the sap is
restoring the vitality of the dry stalks, symbolizing
renewal.
- This can be understood as a metaphor for revival and
hope, where the rain breathes new life into the parched
And sap re-sweetening dry land.
stalks - The dry stalks symbolize struggle and drought, while
the sap represents nourishment and growth.
- The alliteration of "sap" and "sweetening" creates a
rhythmic flow, emphasizing the rejuvenation.
- The imagery of sap bringing sweetness to dry plants
invokes a sense of relief and rejuvenation.
- This line uses personification, as the sap is described as
re-sweetening, giving it human-like qualities. There is no
punctuation to analyze in this specific line.
- This line refers to the scent released by the vegetation
as it comes to life after the rain.
- The word "quickening" suggests the vitality and
renewed growth of the land.
- The "perfume" signifies the rich, fresh scent that
Perfumes the quickening accompanies this revival. This can evoke a sense of
plains; nature's rejuvenation and beauty.
- The line uses imagery, painting a vivid picture of a lush,
fragrant landscape.
- There is also personification, as the land is described as
"quickening" or coming to life.
- The flow of the words suggests an ongoing, continuous
action, which might align with enjambment (the
continuation of a thought or sentence beyond the line).
