Grass Will Grow

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Wakenya Canada in Obituaries, Op-Ed/Blog // 2 Comments

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

2 Comments on Grass Will Grow

Sumaiyah Muhammad // November 12, 2019 at 2:10 pm // Reply

I have some questions about this poem and I need you guys to help me out with the questions
Sumaiyah Muhammad // November 14, 2019 at 4:15 pm // Reply

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.