living space

• There are just not enough// straight lines. That//is the problem


  The word enough suggests that the word is subjective but also cen be interpreted taht the work is half done, incomplete. The problem can be reffered tk construction but context wise, the practise of Purdah often found in Mumbay includes violence, injustice and oppression, and that is the problems, the straight lines may symbolise rules
• beams balance crookedly on supports...nails clutch at open seams


  Symbolic too, also irony because beams are a form a support but itself is being balanced, u stability, but also symbolises the authority there and they are unable to offer support to those in need because themselves are being balanced, swaying. The nails symbolise that they are unwilling to give up and they are seizing all opportunities they have, imagery suggests hope as they have exposure to the outside world - they can survive
• "The whole structure leans dangerously// towards the miraculous"


  -The juxtaposition of the adverb "dangerously" and the adjective "miraculous" shows how the building looks as though it is going to collapse at any time, yet is still standing.

  -Personification of the structure "leaning" and the use of "miraculous" creates a lexis of worship and prayer. However the line structure shows how the line itself is toppling over the shorter line beneath-enjambement
• Into this rough frame, //someone has squeezed// a living space


  living space, the middle section the word rough shows how it is unfinished and temporary, but compared it shows the strength of their will to live and survive, resembles how the line squeezes itself between the 2 larger verses
• "Dared to place these eggs in a wire basket"


  'dared'- amazed by boldness

  'eggs in a wire basket'- symbol; fragility of human existence. Also perfect shape compared to 'living spaces'. Shows how people still have hope and they are stilling wiling to survive but they are scared, in the face of impeding collapse these eggs seem impossibly optimistic, power of fighting to live
• Fragile curves of white hung out over the dark edge


  Shows how hope and hopelessness coexist in the slum as the eggs are juxtaposed with the "dark edge". Imagery of light and dark, it also shows how how coexisting means that without the perfect balance any could be lost
• Gathering the light// into themselves


  Symbolic of hope, it also shows how they should have faith and be optimistic which is difficult but aka trust the process is the solution to survival
• context

  Bombay where i live is a city fo grenodise dreams and structure held together with sellotape and string

  
  

  Visual artist

  
  

  Lived in mumbai

  
  

  Practise of purdah
• structure


  Lack of structure and rhyme schemes, varied but controlled chaotic sentence lengths