Grass Will Grow
Grass will grow
In tribute and prayers for parents who’ve had to bury their children, the poem Grass will grow by Kenyan Poet Jonathan Kariara [1935-1993].
If you should take my child Lord
Give my hands strength to dig his grave
cover him with earth
Lord send a little rain
For grass will grow
If my house should burn down
So that the ashes sting the nostrils
Making the eyes weep
Then Lord send a little rain
For grass will grow
But Lord do not send me
Madness
I ask for tears
Do not send me moon hard madness
To lodge snug in my skull
I would you sent me hordes of horses
Galloping
Crushing
But do not break
The yolk of the moon on me.
–Kinnareads.com
I have some questions about this poem and I need you guys to help me out with the questions
1. Briefly summarize the persona’s plea in your own words.
2. Who is the persona in the poem?
3. Identify and explain the use of any 2 poetic devices in the poem.
4. Discuss the subject matter of the poem.