"Paper that lets the light shine through"

• Language

  • Metaphor of “paper” represents human life, identity, and social structures — fragile and temporary.
  • “Light” symbolises truth, knowledge, and natural power, suggesting enlightenment can change human perception and power.
  • The phrase “alter things” implies transformation, hinting that human control is not absolute.
• Structure

  • Enjambment between “shine through, this / is” emphasizes the connection and fragility between paper and light, reflecting the fragile balance between human power and natural forces.
  • The pause caused by the enjambment invites the reader to reflect on the possibility of change.
• Form

  • Written in free verse, reflecting the unpredictability and fragility of life and identity.
  • No rhyme or rhythm reinforces the theme of impermanence and natural flow, rather than rigid human control.
• Writers Intent and Context

  • Dharker critiques human arrogance in believing identity and power are permanent, highlighting nature’s ultimate dominance.
  • Her multicultural background and experiences with impermanence (e.g., her husband’s illness) inform this view of life’s fragility and transformation.
  • The poem prefaces a collection addressing power, fundamentalism, and the temporary nature of human constructs.