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Summary Namaqualand after rain IEB Poem
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In depth line by line analysis of Namaqualand after rain by Plomer for Grade 12 IEB
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Namaqualand after rain - PlomerAgain the veld revives, Imbued with lyric rains,
And sap re-sweetening dry stalks
Perfumes the quickening plains;
Small roots explode in strings of stars,
Each bulb gives up its dream,
Honey drips from orchid throats,
Jewels each raceme;
The desert sighs at dawn -
As in another hemisphere
The temple lotus breaks her buds.
On the attentive air -
A frou-frou of new flowers,
Puff of unruffling petals,
While rods of sunlight strike pure streams
From rocks beveined with metals:
Far in the gaunt karroo
That winter earth denudes,
Ironstone caves give back the burr
Of lambs in multitudes;
Grass waves again where drought
Bleached every upland kraal,
A peach-tree shoots along the wind
Pink volleys through a broken wall,
And willows growing round the dam
May now be seen
with all their traceries of twigs
Just hesitating to be green,
Soon to be hung with colonies
All swaying with the leaves.
Of pendent wicker love-nests
The pretty loxia weaves.
, "Namaqualand Renewed by Rain" serves as an affectionate tribute to the magnificence
and revitalizing influence of nature. Within this poem, the annual, breathtaking
transformation of Namaqualand, a semi-arid desert, into a resplendent, wildflower-
adorned tapestry becomes a poignant reminder of life's indomitable spirit, capable of
thriving and rejuvenating itself even in the most unforgiving circumstances.
Furthermore, the verse eloquently demonstrates Plomer's profound admiration for the
natural world and wildlife in South Africa.
The structure of "Namaqualand Renewed by Rain" is characterized by its predictability
and consistency. Comprising eight stanzas, each of four lines, the poem adheres to the
ABC, DEFE rhyme scheme. While five of the stanzas feature precise rhymes, such as
'rains' and 'plains,' the other three employ slant or half rhymes, like 'kraal' and 'wall.'
The metrical arrangement within these stanzas adopts a hymnal pattern, with lines
alternating between iambic trimeter (three iambic units or six syllables) and iambic
tetrameter (four iambic units or eight syllables). Aside from a few notable exceptions
in which lines contain either seven or four syllables, this metrical scheme imparts a
melodious and buoyant rhythm, aligning well with the poem's celebration of spring's
rebirth and rejuvenation. Employing a hymnal meter, named after compositions of
reverence and devotion, seems a fitting choice to convey wonder and delight at
nature's regenerative powers.
The title of the poem grounds it in a specific place and time, confirming its location in
southern Africa, where Namaqualand spans from the northern Cape Province to
Namibia. This title also fixes the time frame as late winter, as rainfall typically occurs in
July and August in this region. Moreover, it primes the reader's expectations,
symbolizing rain as the harbinger of renewal and the end of a drought period. This is
particularly apt in the context of Namaqualand, where the usually parched terrain
transforms into a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers following the winter rains.
The poem commences with the word 'again,'
underscoring that the forthcoming event has
transpired previously. The choice of the term
flat, rural land covered in grass and small trees
'veld' to portray the landscape aligns with the
1. Again the veld revives, anticipations set by the poem's title, confirming
its portrayal of events in Southern Africa. The
utilization of the term 'revives' is particularly
noteworthy, accentuating that this event
constitutes a cyclical revival and a restoration
of life to the land.
The arrival of the 'rains' is unequivocally
established. The rainfall is depicted as 'lyric,'
imbuing the veld. The term 'lyric' implies
saturated, impregnated, soaked
something gentle, fluid, and delightful, evoking
2. Imbued with lyric rains, imagery of clear, cascading water nurturing
everything it touches with grace. Meanwhile,
'imbued' conveys the idea of saturation and
thorough permeation, emphasizing how the rain
has deeply penetrated the soil, ultimately
transforming the surrounding atmosphere.
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