Summaries

• The poem explores the perspective of a mirror, personifying it as a reflective surface that presents truth without bias or emotion. The mirror reflects the changing emotions and perceptions of those who gaze into it, particularly focusing on a woman who ages over time. The mirror serves as a silent observer, witnessing the woman's journey from youth to old age


  Mirror by Sylvia Plath
• The poem is about the speaker reflecting on the loss of genuine human connection and authenticity in modern society. Through the speaker's lament we see a contrast between past and present where people once laughed and shook hands with sincerity but now only exhibits gestures and hollow expressions. The speaker has adopted to this facade by suppressing their own genuine emotions. The speaker longs to return to a time of genuine laughter and pleas to his son to teach him how to laugh authentically once again. 


  Once Upon A Time by Gabriel Okara
• The poem is an allegorical poem that uses the imagery of a natural disaster to depict the destructive and chaotic nature of colonialism in the region. 


  An African Thunderstorm by David Rubadiri
• The poem depicts a scene where a little boy is crying out of frustration and hurt. The boy's emotions are intense, fueled by desire to retaliate against the perceived cruelty of the adult. However, the adult, though wishing to comfort the child, refrains from doing so to teach him important life lessons. 


  Little Boy Crying by Mervyn Morris
• The poem describes the serene beauty of London as observed from Westminster Bridge early in the morning. The poet marvels at the sight of the city bathed in the soft light of dawn, with its buildings, river, and surroundings appearing tranquil and majestic. The absence of the usual hustle and bustle lends the scene an aura of peacefulness and stillness, prompting the poet to reflect on the profound calmness and beauty of the moment.


  "Sonnet Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" by William Wordsworth
• In the poem, the persona is reflecting on the island home of his childhood. He has travelled to many places, but appears to be constantly homesick. He remarks the stark contrasts between the "stoniest cities" and his own homeland, and seems overcome with happiness once he recounts the wondrous memories of his childhood.

  South By Kamau Brathwaite
• The poem describes the experience of an Englishman, attending a cricket match at Sabina Park. Despite his pride in his nationality, he feels out of place amidst the passionate and critical Jamaican crowd. The persona struggles to justify England’s performance in the match. Ultimately, he feels embarrassed by his nationality when and unable to fully engage with the atmosphere at the stadium. 


  Test Match Sabina Park by Stewart Brown
• The poem is from the persona's perspective which describes the start of bird shooting season which brings men to the narrator's father's house, creating a masculine atmosphere. It is also said that women prepare food and drinks without recognition, while young boys aspire to become hunters like their fathers whilst young girls encourage the birds to fly away.

  Birdshooting Season by Olive Senior
• In this poem, the persona seems to be addressing a man who has taken a woman's son into a life of crime and violence. The mother played both roles in his upbringing. She saw his potential as endless. However, the son for whom she had great hope for had now been inducted into a life of crime and violence. She feels betrayed and accepts the bitter destiny of her son as she prepares for the funeral of her son, which she believes will happen sooner rather than later because of what he has become involved in.

  The Woman Speaks to the Man who has Employed her Son by Lorna Goodison
• The persona reflects on the image of someone he cares for. This love interest accused him of breaking their heart. The persona admits that both of them can make no excuses for his behavior because the love interest does not take precedence over his country. Despite this fact, the persona begs for mercy, pleading guilty for being seduced by his love interest’s beauty. the persona admits that, as a result of this, he has committed treason against his country. He hopes that his country will pardon him because he loves both his country and his love interest.


  It is the Constant Image of your Face
• The poem reflects on the tranquility and innocence of summer juxtaposed with the cruelty and harsh realities of human existence. The speaker initially describes the serene atmosphere of summer. However, this tranquility is disrupted by children who harm butterflies, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the presence of cruelty. The maid intervenes to stop the children’s cruelty, highlighting the contrast between innocence and violence. The poem ends with a reflection on the inevitability of suffering and the cyclical nature of life.


  A Lesson for this Sunday by Derek Walcott
• Depicts a scene where a group of people catch a woman they believe has committed a crime. Despite her fear, they justify their actions as virtuous, even though they physically harm her. However, their self-righteousness is challenged by a figure described as a guru who confronts them with their own hypocrisy. Ultimately, they leave the scene, still holding onto their stones of judgment, but unsettled by the encounter and questioning their own actions. 


  A Stone’s Throw by Elma Mitchell
• The poem explores the speaker's childhood experiences of being kept away from rough children by their parents. The rough children are depicted as wild and unruly, with torn clothes and a disregard for social norms. The speaker fears their physical strength and mockery, longing to forgive them but feeling unable to due to their lack of remorse.

  My Parents by Stephen Spender
• This poem describes the landscape painter Albert Huie, a famous Jamaican painter by the poet admires the painter’s process as he watches this method and speaks in awe as he captures the scenery as if the landscape is a living thing getting ready to be painted and showing their best side for this painter. Capturing the painter in his element.


  Landscape Painter, Jamaica by Vivian Virtue
• The poet tells of his first-hand experience in war. The poem recounts a gas attack, capturing the panic and chaos as soldiers scramble to put on their gas masks, witnessing the agonizing death of a comrade who fails to do so. The persona points out that if you could have witnessed these events, then you would not tell children the old lie: dulce et decorum est pro-Patria Mori (It is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country).

  Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilford Owen
• The persona is metaphorically speaking to his country which he calls “My love”. He tells this person that it is a dark time, which is, in essence, a time of sadness war and oppression. It is implied, by certain key terms; such as ‘dark metal’, that it is a time of war. The persona warns his ‘love’ that in this dark time it is important to be vigilant as there the invader may take away all that they hoped for


  This is the dark time, my love by Martin Carter
• The poem portrays the inner conflict of a traditional Caribbean vampire-like creature, torn between her desire for normalcy and the irresistible allure of baby blood. Despite her reluctance, she continues her nocturnal hunts, serving as a symbol of enduring fear and mortality.

  Ol' Higue by Mark McWatt
• The speaker challenges Death's power, portraying it as insignificant despite its fearsome reputation. Death's victims merely transition, finding relief from life's burdens. Death serves fate, chance, and human vices, but its hold is transient. Ultimately, death is conquered by eternal awakening, rendering its threat obsolete in the face of everlasting life.


  Death, be not proud BY JOHN DONNE