The tenant - Na Ncube
Background
The tenant: Analysis
- A tenant = a person who lives in a place on a temporary basis who has no
intention to stay permanently
There is no room for you
In my heart. The only tenant
Who ever lived there left
Some luggage behind.
I didn't even evict her. She
Simply left without a word.
I keep hoping she will come
Back and collect the luggage
Or at least arrange for disposal
Clean out the place, throw out
Old memories.
I could possibly live with
The marks on the walls. Some
Are completely indelible
Some I even like.
But you see I am afraid that
If it all goes, what will I do
With all that empty space.
Structure:
- Free verse
- NO formal rhyme scheme
- Loose structure because the poem is a personal reflection
- Poet’s emotions are reflected by the looser structure
- Enjambmemt
Overall Tone:
Background
The tenant: Analysis
- A tenant = a person who lives in a place on a temporary basis who has no
intention to stay permanently
There is no room for you
In my heart. The only tenant
Who ever lived there left
Some luggage behind.
I didn't even evict her. She
Simply left without a word.
I keep hoping she will come
Back and collect the luggage
Or at least arrange for disposal
Clean out the place, throw out
Old memories.
I could possibly live with
The marks on the walls. Some
Are completely indelible
Some I even like.
But you see I am afraid that
If it all goes, what will I do
With all that empty space.
Structure:
- Free verse
- NO formal rhyme scheme
- Loose structure because the poem is a personal reflection
- Poet’s emotions are reflected by the looser structure
- Enjambmemt
Overall Tone:
