'In The Kalahari Desert' by Craig Raine

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The sun rose like a tarnished
looking-glass to catch the sun

and flash His hot message
at the missionaries below--

Isabella and the Rev. Roger Price,
and the Helmores with a broken axle

left, two days behind, at Fever Ponds.
The wilderness was full of home:

a glinting beetle on its back
struggled like an orchestra

with Beethoven. The Hall�,
Isabella thought and hummed.

Makololo, their Zulu guide,
puzzled out the Bible, replacing

words he didn't know with Manchester.
Spikenard, alabaster, Leviticus,

were Manchester and Manchester.
His head reminded Mrs. Price

of her old pomander stuck with cloves,
forgotten in some pungent tallboy.

The dogs drank under the wagon
with a far away clip-clopping sound,

and Roger spat into the fire,
leaned back and watched his phlegm

like a Welsh rarebit
bubbling on the brands. . .

When Baby died, they sewed her
in a scrap of carpet and prayed,

with milk still darkening
Isabella's grubby button-through.

Makololo was sick next day
and still the Helmores didn't come.

The outspanned oxen moved away
at night in search of water,

were caught and goaded on
to Matabele water-hole--

nothing but a dark stain on the sand.
Makololo drank vinegar and died.

Back they turned for Fever Ponds
and found the Helmores on the way. . .

Until they got within a hundred yards,
the vultures bobbed and trampolined

around the bodies, then swirled
a mile above their heads

like scalded tea leaves.
The Prices buried everything--

all the tattered clothes and flesh,
Mrs. Helmore's bright chains of hair,

were wrapped in bits of calico
then given to the sliding sand.

'In the beginning was the Word'--
Roger read from Helmore's Bible

found open at St. John.
Isabella moved her lips,

'The Word was Manchester.'
Shhh, shhh, the shovel said. Shhh. . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

Craig Raine's In The Kalahari Desert: An Exploration of survival and the human condition

Craig Raine's "In The Kalahari Desert" is a powerful poem that explores themes of survival, isolation, and the human condition. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it has been widely acclaimed for its vivid imagery, powerful language, and profound ideas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's themes, structure, language, and meaning, and we will explore how these elements work together to create a powerful and memorable work of art.

The Poem's Structure: A Journey Through Time and Space

The structure of "In The Kalahari Desert" is an essential aspect of the poem's meaning and impact. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each describing a different scene or moment in time. The first stanza takes place in the present, as the speaker describes his journey through the desert. The second stanza takes us back in time, to the era of the dinosaurs, and describes a scene of violence and death. The third stanza takes us even further back in time, to the era of the first life forms, and describes a scene of creation and evolution. The fourth and final stanza brings us back to the present, as the speaker reflects on his journey and his place in the universe.

This structure is significant because it creates a sense of journey and exploration, both in time and space. The poem takes us on a journey through the past, the present, and the future, and it invites us to reflect on our place in the universe. This structure also creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, as the speaker is alone in the vast desert, and as we are invited to contemplate our own smallness in the face of the universe's vastness.

The Poem's Themes: Survival, Isolation, and the Human Condition

"In The Kalahari Desert" is a poem that explores themes of survival, isolation, and the human condition. The speaker is alone in the desert, facing the harsh conditions of the environment, and he must rely on his own skills and resources to survive. This theme of survival is present throughout the poem, as the speaker describes his struggle to find water, his fear of predators, and his need for shelter.

The theme of isolation is also present throughout the poem, as the speaker is alone in the vast and lonely desert. He is cut off from civilization, from human contact, and from the comforts of modern life. This theme of isolation is also reflected in the structure of the poem, as we are invited to contemplate our own smallness in the face of the universe's vastness.

The theme of the human condition is also present throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality, on the fragility of life, and on the meaning of existence. The poem invites us to contemplate our own place in the universe, our own mortality, and our own struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.

The Poem's Language: Vivid Imagery and Powerful Metaphors

The language of "In The Kalahari Desert" is one of its most powerful features. The poem is full of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and intense emotions. The language of the poem creates a sense of immediacy and intensity, as if we are experiencing the speaker's journey through the desert ourselves.

The poem's language is also full of powerful metaphors that invite us to contemplate the deeper meanings of the poem. For example, the image of the "luminous eye" in the second stanza is a powerful metaphor for the violence and death that characterizes the era of the dinosaurs. The image of the "slow drip of creation" in the third stanza is a powerful metaphor for the slow and gradual process of evolution.

The language of the poem is also full of emotions, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality, on the fragility of life, and on the beauty of the universe. The poem's language creates a sense of wonder and awe, as we contemplate the vastness and complexity of the universe, and as we reflect on our own place in it.

The Poem's Meaning: A Reflection on the Human Condition

The meaning of "In The Kalahari Desert" is complex and multifaceted. On one level, the poem is a reflection on the human condition, on our struggle to survive, to find meaning and purpose in life, and to face our own mortality. The poem invites us to contemplate our own smallness in the face of the universe's vastness, and to reflect on the beauty, the fragility, and the wonder of existence.

On another level, the poem is a reflection on the evolutionary and ecological processes that have shaped life on Earth. The poem invites us to contemplate the slow and gradual process of evolution, and the complex interplay between different species and ecosystems.

Finally, the poem is a reflection on the power of language and poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of the universe. The poem's language creates a sense of immediacy and intensity, as if we are experiencing the speaker's journey through the desert ourselves. The poem's metaphors and imagery invite us to contemplate the deeper meanings of the poem, and to reflect on the power of language and poetry to capture the complexity and wonder of existence.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

In conclusion, Craig Raine's "In The Kalahari Desert" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores themes of survival, isolation, and the human condition. The poem's structure, language, and meaning work together to create a powerful and memorable work of art. The poem invites us to contemplate our own smallness in the face of the universe's vastness, and to reflect on the beauty, the fragility, and the wonder of existence. This is a poem that speaks to the deepest parts of the human experience, and it is a testament to the power of language and poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of the universe.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

In The Kalahari Desert: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Craig Raine’s “In The Kalahari Desert” is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that transports the reader to the vast and desolate landscape of the Kalahari Desert. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the harsh and unforgiving environment, where life is a constant struggle for survival. Raine’s use of language and imagery is so powerful that it creates a sensory experience for the reader, making them feel as if they are right there in the desert, experiencing the heat, the dust, and the isolation.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the desert. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the vast expanse of sand and the heat that radiates from it. The second stanza focuses on the creatures that inhabit the desert, while the third stanza describes the human presence in the desert.

The first stanza begins with the line “The sun is a blister overhead,” immediately setting the tone for the poem. The use of the word “blister” is particularly effective, as it conveys the intense heat of the desert. The next line, “The sand is hot to the touch,” reinforces this idea, making the reader feel as if they are standing on the scorching sand themselves. The line “The air is a furnace” completes the sensory experience, making the reader feel as if they are breathing in hot, dry air.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the creatures that inhabit the desert. The opening line, “The lizard, motionless on a stone,” creates a vivid image of a lizard basking in the sun. The use of the word “motionless” is particularly effective, as it conveys the stillness of the desert. The next line, “Waits for the evening cool,” reinforces this idea, making the reader feel as if they are waiting for relief from the heat themselves. The line “The snake, coiled in the shade,” creates a sense of danger, as the reader imagines a venomous snake waiting to strike. The final line of the stanza, “Waits for the night to hunt,” reinforces this idea, making the reader feel as if they are in a place where danger lurks around every corner.

The third stanza describes the human presence in the desert. The opening line, “The man, alone in the wilderness,” creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The use of the word “wilderness” reinforces this idea, making the reader feel as if they are in a place where no one else exists. The line “His footprints, like scars on the sand,” creates a powerful image of the man’s journey through the desert. The use of the word “scars” is particularly effective, as it conveys the idea that the man’s journey has been difficult and painful. The final line of the poem, “He walks on, into the endless expanse,” creates a sense of hopelessness, as the reader imagines the man walking endlessly through the desert, with no end in sight.

Overall, “In The Kalahari Desert” is a masterful poem that uses language and imagery to create a powerful sensory experience for the reader. Raine’s use of vivid imagery and sensory language makes the reader feel as if they are right there in the desert, experiencing the heat, the dust, and the isolation. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to transport the reader to another place and time, and to evoke powerful emotions and sensations.

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