In the poem “Blessing”, Imtiaz Dharkerby uses metaphors, juxtaposition, and imagery to accentuate the problem of water deficit for impoverished children. The use of metaphors allows the author to conjure up appropriate associations in readers’ minds. For instance, the line in stanza 2, “the voice of a kindly god” is a figure of speech meant to show how much importance children attach to the sound of falling water.
The second device used by the author is juxtaposition, which can be seen in the second and third stanzas. In the second one, the word “drip” is used to showcase that the shortage of water is so extreme that even a drip is seen as a moment of blessing. The third stanza contains the phrase “sudden rush”, which is juxtaposed to the earlier “dip”, implying that the moment when the pipe bursts is a special moment for children.
The third device is imagery, which is present in the fourth stanza. The author uses the phrase “liquid sun” to create the association with hope. In the poem, the sudden abundance of water allows children to see the reflection of the sun. The choice of the adjective “liquid” emphasizes the presence of water. The reflection of the sun in the water is also a symbol of hope for dehydrated children.
These devices allow the author to demonstrate the dire situation of children living in impoverished regions. Metaphors enable the audience to mentally connect with the described events. Juxtaposition showcases the uniqueness of the moment, while imagery allows the audience to understand the significance of seemingly mundane phenomena. Ultimately, the author intends to enthuse the readers with empathy toward dehydrated and impoverished children.