Timed writing #4 "Dis Poem"

Mutabaruka creates an outlet, "revolt," "story" and mantra through his work, "Dis Poem". Through the objective writing, and uneducated sounding way of speaking, the speaker is automatically classified. The slightly rambling African words (or at least assumed African words) become a sort of jumble of sounds, meaning nothing inparticular, yet at the same time expressing the identity of the speaker and a sort of hidden intelligence. The speaker knows what he is writing about, even if the audience does not.

First of all, the speaker classifies the poem over and over again. It "shall say nothin new," it "shall speak of time," it is "vex/about apartheid/racism/fascism..." and it goes on and on. The identification of the poem's being not only creates a mantra which sticks, but also depicts an idea that it is everything: anything surpressed victims have faced. The encorporation of "knives...bombs...guns..." also adds to the distinct human feature of turning to violence, especially when uneducated, deprived, surpressed, and abused.

Also, the clarification that the poem will "not be quoted by politicians" creates a feeling that they don't care about what is going on concerning the speaker's situation and topic. Yet, the idea that the poem needs to be changed relates directly with the situation of the victims alluded to. However, the speaker states outright that the "poem will not change things." Mutabaruka expresses that words will not change anything, as much as things need changing. That the "poem is the rebirth of a people arising...awaking...overstanding." This portrays the feelings of rally speech, in order to keep people's hopes up for an actual change, a possibility for better conditions, away from "the klu klux klan/ riots in brixton/ jim jones" etc.

The referred "time" "continue[s]" the poem not letting it "stop." The identification of "time" brings to mind past, present, and future events. Mutabaruka seems to know that conditions were bad, are bad, but there is always the future to look forward to, the future to affect, and change for the good. Once again, rallying a crowd to look forward, and strive for the best.

Yet, because the poem is "still not written" and does not have a "poet," the speaker alludes to the fact that the poem is "still not written" because they, the audience, has not chosen the right words, and needs to create it out of their own heads, they need to take the initiative, and act. The listed sources of information directs thoughts toward education, intelligence, and worldly knowledge.

The way in which Mutabaruka puts the poem down by calling it "boring/stupid/senseless" prepares the future writers for the setbacks to come. And finally, ends in a mantra, "in your mind..." in order for it to stick there, and to keep thinking about all that it said. To play with the order of words, thoughts and ideas. It makes you want to know more about what would be said, and the reader then realizes that the 'they' and the 'audience' was really themselves, that they are supposed to write the poem, and act.

Not sure how I did. I really tried to analyze it well, and encorporate different literary ideas...
(favorite poem. Ever).