Namaqualand after Rain - Plomer
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.
, - The title highlights the land’s transformation,
Namaqualandafter Rain symbolizing renewal and hope, and sets a tone of wonder at
nature’s revival.
- "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.
- The phrase "lyric rains" connects rain with music, implying the
Again the veld revives,
rain has a beautiful, almost poetic quality.
Imbued with lyric rains,
- 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 land.
The dry stalks symbolize struggle and drought, while the sap
-
represents nourishment and growth.
And sap re-sweetening The alliteration of "sap" and "sweetening" creates a rhythmic
-
dry stalks 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 accompanies
-
this revival. This can evoke a sense of nature's rejuvenation and
Perfumes the quickening beauty.
plains; 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.
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.
, - The title highlights the land’s transformation,
Namaqualandafter Rain symbolizing renewal and hope, and sets a tone of wonder at
nature’s revival.
- "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.
- The phrase "lyric rains" connects rain with music, implying the
Again the veld revives,
rain has a beautiful, almost poetic quality.
Imbued with lyric rains,
- 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 land.
The dry stalks symbolize struggle and drought, while the sap
-
represents nourishment and growth.
And sap re-sweetening The alliteration of "sap" and "sweetening" creates a rhythmic
-
dry stalks 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 accompanies
-
this revival. This can evoke a sense of nature's rejuvenation and
Perfumes the quickening beauty.
plains; 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.
