​DUSKS OF DRINKS AND DRUGS - ENGLISH POETRY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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​DUSKS OF DRINKS AND DRUGS

Read the poem provided below and answer the questions that follow: (20mks)

​Drinks and drugs drained our dreams,
Drinks and drugs drowned our dreams;
They drew dusks and dark nights,
Drinks and drugs spawned our nightmares;
We wailed and screamed in seas of terror
In sweat-drenched bodies, bobbed we out,
Like drugged fish out of muddy streams;
Gasping for breath-hearts pumping and panting.
Inaudibly mumbled incoherent words
Pulled back stubborn sleep to no avail,
She fled like a refugee fleeing a civil war.
Our bedmates asked: we answered not!
~ Boniface Wasira

QUESTIONS

• i) Who is the persona in the poem? (2 marks)
• ii) What is the poem talking about? (3 marks)
• iii) Comment on the use of any three aspects of style in the poem. (6 marks)
• iv) What the persona’s attitude towards drinks and drugs as brought out in the poem? (3 marks)
• v) In your own opinion, do you think the persona has regrets regarding drug use? Support your answer. (3 marks)
• vi) Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in the poem. (3 marks)
  • a) …bobbed we out
  • b) Drinks and drugs spawned our nightmares
  • c) Pulled back the stubborn sleep to no avail. 

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