Lament of the Silent & Other Poems by Jared Angira Full Analysis

There are those

Who forever live

In the mirage

Of jacaranda blooms

Discarding seasons

Of slumber and sanity.

 

There are those

Who with twilight touch

Will shout hoorah

To a dawn

That hovers in the depths

Of the dark sea lanes

Discarding the dreams

Of the mirror flap.

 

There are those

Who believe

Rather persistently

That a soldier

Must fall at the battlefield

And a bull

Must reach the abattoir

Grazing at will

There are those

Who

At the next exhume

Will still

Have the will

To emigrate

To another field, for other feats

INTRODUCTION

“Jacaranda Bloom” is a modern African poem that explores different attitudes people have toward life, hope, dreams, determination, and destiny. The poet repeatedly refers to “There are those” to describe different groups of people with different beliefs and ways of responding to life’s challenges.

Through symbolism and figurative language, the poem encourages readers to think critically about perseverance, change, and human expectations.

FORM ANALYSIS

Type of Poem

This is a free verse poem because:

• It has no regular rhyme scheme.
• It has no fixed rhythm or meter.
• The lines and stanzas vary in length.
• The poet expresses ideas freely without following traditional poetic rules.

Structure

The poem is divided into four stanzas.

Each stanza begins with the repeated expression:

“There are those…”

Each stanza describes a different group of people and their attitudes toward life.

Persona (Speaker)

The persona is an observant and thoughtful narrator.

The speaker does not directly participate in the events but comments on different kinds of people and their beliefs.

Tone

The tone is:

• Reflective
• Philosophical
• Thoughtful
• Critical
• Hopeful

The speaker reflects on human behaviour while encouraging readers to think deeply.

Mood (Atmosphere)

The poem creates a mood of:

• Reflection
• Curiosity
• Hope
• Determination
• Seriousness

Readers are encouraged to evaluate different attitudes toward life.

Repetition

The phrase:

“There are those”

is repeated at the beginning of every stanza.

This repetition gives the poem unity and emphasizes that society is made up of people with different beliefs and choices.

Rhythm

The rhythm is irregular because the poem is written in free verse.

Instead of rhyme, the repetition of words creates a smooth flow.

CONTENT ANALYSIS

Summary

The speaker describes different categories of people.

Some people continue chasing beautiful but unrealistic dreams.

Others remain hopeful even in darkness.

Some accept that life has unavoidable realities such as death and sacrifice.

Others refuse to give up even after failure, believing that new opportunities can always be found elsewhere.

Overall, the poem celebrates determination while warning against false hopes and unrealistic expectations.

THEMES

Hope

Many people continue hoping even when circumstances appear difficult.

Example:

“Will shout hoorah to a dawn.”

The dawn symbolizes hope and a better future.

Perseverance

The last stanza shows people who never stop trying.

Example:

“Will still have the will to emigrate.”

This suggests determination to seek better opportunities.

Dreams and Aspirations

Some people pursue dreams throughout their lives.

The jacaranda bloom symbolizes attractive dreams and ambitions.

Reality versus Illusion

The poem contrasts dreams with reality.

Example:

“Forever live in the mirage.”

A mirage represents something attractive but impossible to reach.

Death

The poem reminds readers that death is unavoidable.

Example:

“A soldier must fall at the battlefield.”

This symbolizes sacrifice and the reality of life.

Sacrifice

The soldier and the bull both represent individuals who must sacrifice themselves for a purpose.

Change

The idea of emigrating to another field symbolizes beginning a new chapter in life.

The poem encourages adaptability.

Human Diversity

Different people think differently.

Each stanza introduces another group with unique beliefs and attitudes.

STYLE (Literary Devices)

Repetition

Example:

“There are those…”

Importance:

• Creates emphasis.
• Organizes the poem.
• Highlights different groups of people.

Symbolism

Jacaranda Bloom

Represents:

• dreams,
• beauty,
• hope,
• temporary success.

Dawn

Represents:

• new beginnings,
• hope,
• success.

Twilight

Represents:

• uncertainty,
• transition,
• difficult moments.

Battlefield

Represents:

• struggle,
• sacrifice,
• conflict.

Bull

Represents:

• helplessness,
• sacrifice,
• destiny.

Abattoir

Represents:

• death,
• the unavoidable end,
• fate.

Another Field

Represents:

• new opportunities,
• fresh beginnings,
• personal growth.

Metaphor

Example:

“Jacaranda blooms”

The flowers symbolize beautiful dreams rather than actual flowers.

Imagery

Examples:

• jacaranda blooms
• twilight
• dawn
• battlefield
• bull
• abattoir

These images help readers visualize the poet’s ideas.

Contrast

Examples:

• twilight ↔ dawn
• dreams ↔ reality
• battlefield ↔ peaceful grazing
• death ↔ hope

The contrasts emphasize different experiences in life.

Personification

Example:

“A dawn that hovers.”

The dawn is given the human ability to hover.

Enjambment

Many ideas continue from one line to the next without punctuation.

Example:

There are those
Who forever live
In the mirage

This creates a natural flow and encourages readers to continue reading.

DICTION (Language Use)

The language is:

• Simple but symbolic.
• Reflective.
• Philosophical.
• Rich in figurative expressions.
• Easy to understand with careful reading.

Words such as:

• bloom
• mirage
• twilight
• dawn
• battlefield
• emigrate

carry symbolic meanings beyond their literal definitions.

TITLE

“Jacaranda Bloom” is symbolic rather than literal.

The jacaranda tree produces beautiful flowers that bloom for only a short time. Therefore, the title symbolizes:

• beauty,
• hope,
• dreams,
• temporary success,
• human aspirations.

It reminds readers that some dreams are achievable, while others may be as temporary or elusive as blossoms.

MESSAGES

The poem teaches that:

• People have different attitudes toward life.
• Hope should be balanced with realism.
• Success often requires perseverance.
• Life involves sacrifice and difficult choices.
• Failure should not stop people from pursuing new opportunities.
• Change can lead to personal growth.

RELEVANCE TO TODAY’S SOCIETY

The poem is relevant because:

• Many people continue searching for better education and employment opportunities.
• Young people pursue ambitious dreams despite challenges.
• Migration in search of work or safety remains common.
• Success often requires resilience and determination.
• Society includes people with different beliefs, attitudes, and life goals.
• Individuals frequently face the need to adapt to changing circumstances.

VALUES

The poem promotes:

• Perseverance
• Hope
• Hard work
• Courage
• Adaptability
• Positive thinking
• Acceptance of life’s realities
• Determination

POETIC DEVICES AND THEIR EFFECTS (Summary Table)

Literary Device	Example	Effect
Repetition	“There are those”	Creates emphasis and unity
Symbolism	Jacaranda bloom	Represents dreams and hope
Metaphor	Mirage	Symbolizes unrealistic expectations
Imagery	Battlefield, dawn, twilight	Creates vivid mental pictures
Contrast	Twilight vs dawn	Highlights opposing ideas
Personification	“Dawn that hovers”	Makes ideas more vivid
Enjambment	Lines flow into each other	Creates smooth reading

CONCLUSION

“Jacaranda Bloom” is a reflective free verse poem that explores hope, perseverance, sacrifice, and the diverse ways people respond to life’s challenges. Through repetition, symbolism, imagery, metaphor, and contrast, the poet shows that while some dreams may be unrealistic, determination, adaptability, and resilience are essential for overcoming obstacles and pursuing a meaningful future. The poem remains highly relevant to high school students because it encourages critical thinking about ambition, personal growth, and the realities of life.

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