You Will Forget
By Chenjerai Hove
If you stay in comfort too long
You will not know
The weight of a water pot
On the bald head of the village womanYou will forget
The weight of three bundles of thatch grass
On the sinewy neck of the woman
Whose baby cries on her back
For a blade of grass in its eyesSure, if you stay in comfort too long
You will not know the pain
Of childbirth without a nurse in whiteYou will forget
The thirst, the cracked dusty lips
Of the women in the valley
On their way to the headman who isn’t thereYou will forget
The pouring pain of a thorn prick
With a load on the headYou will forget
The wailing in the valley of women who lost a husband in the minesYou will forget
The rough handshake of coarse palms
Full of teary sorrow at the funeralIf you stay in comfort too long
You will not hear
The shrill voice of old warriors singing
The songs of fresh stored battlefieldsYou will forget
The unfeeling bare feet
Gripping the warm soil turned by the ploughYou will forget
The voice of the season talking to the oxen
Summary of “You Will Forget”
- Understanding “You Will Forget”: Chenjerai Hove’s poem “You Will Forget” explores the dangers of complacency and the loss of empathy that comes with a life sheltered from hardship. Originally appearing in his 1985 collection, Red Hills Home, the poem contrasts the ease of comfort with the harsh realities faced by those who live a life of labor and struggle. It is a poignant reminder of the human connection to basic survival and the importance of remembering the struggles of others.
- The Poem’s Core Message: The central idea of “You Will Forget” is a warning. Hove argues that prolonged comfort leads to a detachment from the fundamental difficulties of life, resulting in a loss of understanding and compassion. The poem meticulously lists various forms of physical and emotional burdens carried by those less fortunate, suggesting that these experiences, though unpleasant, build character and foster a sense of community. The recurring refrain, “You will forget,” serves as a haunting lament for what is lost when we distance ourselves from the realities of others.
- Key Themes: The poem grapples with several significant themes, including the corrosive effect of comfort, the importance of memory, the weight of responsibility, and the connection between physical labor and human dignity. Hove subtly critiques a society that allows such stark disparities in experience and challenges readers to confront their own privilege and potential for indifference.
In-Depth Analysis of “You Will Forget”
The Power of Repetition
The most striking feature of “You Will Forget” is its insistent refrain. The repetition of “You will forget” is not merely stylistic; it functions as the poem’s emotional and thematic core. Each instance of the phrase serves as a lament, a premonition, and an accusation. Consider the line, “You will forget / The weight of three bundles of thatch grass / On the sinewy neck of the woman.” The repetition after describing the woman’s physical burden emphasizes the inevitable erosion of empathy that comes with distance from such hardship. The poet is not simply stating a fact but issuing a solemn warning about the consequences of detachment.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Hove masterfully employs vivid imagery to evoke the physicality of labor and suffering. The poem is replete with sensory details that ground the abstract concept of forgetting in concrete experience. Lines like “The thirst, the cracked dusty lips / Of the women in the valley” appeal directly to our senses of touch and sight, forcing us to imagine the harsh realities of their journey. Similarly, the description of “the rough handshake of coarse palms / Full of teary sorrow at the funeral” conveys not only the physical sensation but also the emotional weight of grief and loss. These details serve to humanize the subjects of the poem and make their struggles palpable.
The Significance of Labor
Throughout “You Will Forget,” physical labor is presented not as a source of suffering, but as an integral part of the human experience. The poem celebrates the resilience and strength of those who work the land, carry burdens, and endure hardship. Consider the lines “The unfeeling bare feet / Gripping the warm soil turned by the plough.” This image is not meant to evoke pity, but admiration for the connection between the worker and the earth. The poem suggests that through labor, we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the natural world. The loss of this connection, through a life of comfort, is therefore a profound loss indeed.
Symbolism and Metaphor
The poem is rich in symbolic meaning. The water pot, the thatch grass, the bare feet are not simply objects but representations of the burdens and struggles that define the lives of many. The “voice of the season talking to the oxen” is a particularly evocative metaphor, suggesting a harmonious connection between humans, animals, and the natural world. This image represents a traditional way of life that is threatened by modernization and the pursuit of comfort. By using these symbols, Hove elevates the poem beyond a simple description of hardship and imbues it with universal significance.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Assonance and Alliteration
Hove skillfully uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emphasize certain themes. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, can be seen in lines like “If you stay in comfort too long,” where the long ‘o’ sound creates a sense of melancholy and resignation. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears in phrases like “pouring pain,” which reinforces the intensity of the physical and emotional suffering described in the poem. These subtle sonic effects contribute to the poem’s overall impact.
Enjambment and Flow
The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. This technique mirrors the relentless nature of labor and the ongoing cycle of life. For example, the lines:
You will forget
The thirst, the cracked dusty lips
Of the women in the valley
On their way to the headman who isn’t there
The continuation of the thought across multiple lines draws the reader in and creates a sense of urgency. This structural choice mirrors the way hardship relentlessly continues, even when overlooked.
Diction and Tone
The poem’s language is deliberately simple and unadorned. Hove avoids flowery language or complex metaphors, opting instead for direct and evocative descriptions. This understated diction contributes to the poem’s authenticity and emotional power. The tone is one of quiet lamentation and moral urgency. Hove does not preach or condemn; he issues a gentle warning about the dangers of complacency and the importance of remembering our shared humanity.
Quotes for Reflection
The following lines from “You Will Forget” are particularly resonant and can be used to spark reflection on the themes of the poem:
You will forget
The voice of the season talking to the oxen
This final image encapsulates the poem’s central message: the loss of connection to the natural world, to traditional ways of life, and to the fundamental rhythms of existence. It serves as a haunting reminder of what is lost when we prioritize comfort over connection and forget the struggles of those who came before us.