DUSKS OF DRINKS AND DRUGS

2/6/2019

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.