In the Midst of Hardship

By Latiff Mohidin
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their sons
albino buffalo that was never found



They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their ciggarete leaves

STANZA 1

They returned home at day break and headed
for the stove. This is probably because they
were hungry.
However, they might went straight to the
stove to dry themselves as they were drenched
with the flood water. Their clothes were
soaking wet and tattered. Their bodies were
covered with scratches and wounds. Yet, they
did not display any signs of being worried.

STANZA 2

They were out in the flood the whole day and
night. They were surrounded by dead animals and
parts of trees that had been destroyed by the
flood.
We know that the animals were already dead
because of the phrase bloated carcasses. They
searched desperately for their sons albino buffalo
but were unable to find it.

STANZA 3

They were born into poverty and difficulty, but
they do not complain about their suffer. Instead,
they sit in the kitchen, cracking jokes while
smoking cigarettes.

This shows that they face difficulties all the time
and this time there is no different. They have
inner strength that makes them strong to face any
hardship poses to them.

LANGUAGE & STYLE

Language is simple and easy to understand.
The style is simple with no rhyming
scheme.

SETTING

Small farming village in a house
The weather is harsh and cold
The village is flooded and dead animal
everywhere
(destruction caused by the flood)



THEMES

Being resilience and brave when facing
hardship
Family love
Acceptance of way of life


MORAL VALUES

We should learn to accept problems in life with a
positive outlook.
We must attempt to face and solve problem.
Facing hardship is part and parcel of life.
If we face a problem, do not feel despair.

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE

Understanding and sympathetic
Acceptance of situation

POETIC DEVICES

Imagery Gives picture of poets thoughts e.g
soaky clothes torn and legs full of wounds
Alliteration e.g. but on their brows
Symbols e.g. horrendous flood and bloating
carcasses