An Africa Thunderstorm
By 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 pounding march of the storm.
Summary of An Africa Thunderstorm
- Popularity of “An Africa Thunderstorm”: “An Africa Thunderstorm” by David Rubadiri is a captivating poem celebrated for its vivid imagery and powerful portrayal of a natural event. While the exact date of its first publication is difficult to pinpoint, it gained prominence online through platforms like Poem Hunter in 2012. The poem focuses on the experience of an approaching thunderstorm, evoking a sense of both awe and slight apprehension.
- “An Africa Thunderstorm” as a Representative of Wonder: This poem is a celebration of the power and majesty of nature. It begins by vividly describing the approaching storm, with clouds “hurrying with the wind” and behaving erratically. Rubadiri masterfully contrasts the dramatic natural phenomena with the human response – initially playful children, then a hurried, almost frantic activity as the storm intensifies. The poem captures a fleeting moment of connection between humanity and the forces of nature, reminding us of our vulnerability and the enduring power of the natural world.
- Major Themes in “An Africa Thunderstorm”: The primary themes explored in the poem are the raw power of nature, the interplay between humans and their environment, and the sense of wonder and perhaps a touch of fear evoked by dramatic natural events. The poem illustrates how nature’s forces, while potentially disruptive, are also awe‑inspiring and integral to life. The image of the storm serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming nature of life itself.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “An Africa Thunderstorm”
Rubadiri skillfully employs a range of literary devices to bring the African thunderstorm to life for the reader. These devices not only enhance the poem’s aesthetic appeal but also deepen its meaning and impact.
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is subtly used to create musicality and connect words. For example, the repetition of the short “e” sound in whilst trees bend creates a flowing, rhythmic effect.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, or alliteration, is present in phrases like whirling wind and clouds come. This creates a sense of energy and immediacy.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words and phrases, such as the “s” and “t” sounds in Whilst trees bend to let it pass, adds texture and emphasis to certain lines.
- Enjambment: Rubadiri frequently uses enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line without punctuation. This creates a sense of momentum and mimics the continuous movement of the storm. Consider this example:
“Babies clinging on their backs
Dart about
In and out
Madly;
The wind whistles by
Whilst trees bend to let it pass.”The thought flows seamlessly from one line to the next, mirroring the unrestrained energy of the storm and the frantic activity it inspires.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is a hallmark of this poem, appealing to the reader’s senses and creating a strong visual impression. Phrases like Clouds come hurrying with the wind, Whilst trees bend to let it pass, and Clothes wave like tattered flags create a clear and immersive experience for the reader.
- Metaphor: The poem utilizes extended metaphors to deepen its meaning. The storm itself can be seen as a metaphor for the unpredictable forces of life, while the actions of the villagers reflect human responses to adversity.
- Personification: Rubadiri skillfully personifies the clouds and the wind, imbuing them with human qualities. For example, the clouds are described as hurrying with the wind and turning sharply, giving them a sense of purpose and agency.
- Simile: Similes, comparisons using “like” or “as,” are used to create vivid images and enhance understanding. The phrases Like a plague of locusts and Clothes wave like tattered flags effectively compare the storm’s movements and effects to familiar images, making them more relatable and impactful.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “An Africa Thunderstorm”
Beyond literary devices, Rubadiri employs several poetic devices to shape the poem’s structure, rhythm, and overall effect.
- Diction: The poem’s language is carefully chosen to create a specific tone and atmosphere. The use of strong, active verbs and evocative adjectives contributes to the poem’s sense of energy and immediacy.
- Free verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Rubadiri to create a more natural and conversational rhythm, reflecting the organic flow of the storm and the uninhibited actions of the villagers.
- Octave: The first stanza can be considered an octave, a traditional eight‑line stanza borrowed from Italian poetry. This creates a sense of completeness and establishes a foundation for the poem’s exploration of the storm.
- Refrain: The repetition of the lines The wind whistles by / And trees bend to let it pass serves as a refrain, emphasizing the relentless power of the storm and the villagers’ passive acceptance of its force.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into four stanzas, each with a distinct focus. The first stanza introduces the approaching storm, the second describes its intensifying power, the third depicts the villagers’ reactions, and the fourth concludes with a vivid image of the storm’s aftermath.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from the poem “An Africa Thunderstorm” are particularly evocative and can be used to illustrate the poem’s themes and imagery:
“As jagged blinding flashes
Rumble, tremble and crack
Amidst the smell of fired smoke
And the pounding march of the storm.”
This excerpt effectively captures the raw power and sensory experience of the storm, highlighting its destructive force and the primal fear it evokes.