Browse this list of poetic terms, including literary devices, poetic forms and techniques, and schools and movements. Many of these brief definitions link to a longer page including a more detailed definition, example poems, related essays, and other resources. Abecedarian: a form guided by alphabetical order in which each line or stanza begins with a successive letter […]
The Prepositions o1
A FREEDOM SONG
A FREEDOM SONG Atieno washes dishes, Atieno plucks the chicken, Atieno gets up early, Beds her sucks down in the kitchen, Atieno eight years old Atieno yo. Since she’s my sister’s child Atieno needs no pay While she works my wife can sit Sewing each sunny day, With her earning I support Atieno yo. Atieno’s […]
BUILDING THE NATION
BUILDING THE NATION INTRODUCTION Today I did my share In building the nation. I drove the permanent secretary To an important urgent function In fact to a luncheon at the Vic. The menu reflected its importance Cold Bell beer with small talk, Then fried chicken with niceties Wine to fill the hollowness of the laughs […]
The Caucasian Chalk Circle( Full Analysis)
Character List Peasants on the Right Goat-herders to whom the disputed valley in the Prologue used to belong. Peasants on the Left Fruit farmers who wish to irrigate the disputed valley in the Prologue. Delegate A man sent by the state to mediate the dispute between the peasants over who owns the valley. He gives […]
White Hands by Jane Katjavivi (Namibia
The place of liberation was Birmingham, England. Strange city, she thought. Strange name. More shops than she ever knew existed, and roads that flew through the sky. But that is where they helped her, away from family and friends and everything that was familiar. Far away from the children. Angelika came to learn English, at […]
Law of the Grazing Fields by Cyprian Ekwensi (Nigeria)
This is the law of the wandering cattlemen of the savannas: that a man may elope with the woman of his choice, maiden or matron, wife or spinster. But woe betide him if he is caught on the run. Yet all is well if he can but get his beloved home without being caught. On […]
Two Stories of a House by Leila Abouzeid (Morocco)
Khadija Bent Ahmed! Meeluda Bent Al-bacheer!” At this resounding call, two old women in the waiting room gathered up the voluminous folds of heir veils with their designs of blooming red roses. They rushed to the courtroom and stood in front of the judge. He was turning over some papers on his desk. “Khadija Bent […]
Tuesday Siesta by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia)
The train emerged from the quivering tunnel of sandy rocks, began to cross the symmetrical, interminable banana plantations, and the air became humid and they couldn’t feel the sea breeze any more. A stifling blast of smoke came in the car window. On the narrow road parallel to the railway there were oxcarts loaded with […]
The Bamboo Hut by Grace Ogot (Kenya)
The setting sun was ablaze, and its angry rays coloured the waters on Lake Victoria. Mboga’s heart beat fast. He had never seen the disc of the setting sun look so big and ominous. He moved towards the foot of the sacred Hill of Ramogi where his forefathers had, from time immemorial, worshipped God and […]