The poem also touches on the physical

IMAGERY and emotional pain the higue

The poem uses vivid imagery to experiences. The lines "the pain of salt"
convey the complexities
emotions of the character, an old
and and "bending these old bones down to
count a thousand grains of rice" evoke
a sense of weariness and hardship.
OL'
higue, a folklore creature in some
Caribbean cultures. The imagery in
the poem explores themes of aging,
This imagery helps the reader
understand the sacrifices and suffering
HIGUE
involved in her existence.
longing, and the unsettling nature of Alexis Williams 4E
the higue's existence. However, the higue's conflicted nature
is highlighted when she mentions the
The poem begins with the image of irresistible allure of babies and their
the higue's reluctance to engage in "pure blood running in new veins." This
image conveys her deep longing for
her supernatural activities,
the life she once had and her fear of
describing it as "gallivanting all night
aging and dying. The "dying hum" hints
without skin" and "burning myself out at the existential dread she grapples
like cane fire." These comparisons with.
paint a picture of the higue's
exhaustion and frustration with her The poem also raises questions about
own actions, suggesting that she identity and the higue's role in the
world. It suggests that as long as
doesn't find joy in her nightly
women continue to give birth, she
pursuits.
cannot die, emphasizing the eternal
existence of her character.
The mention of "a few drops of baby
blood" creates a disturbing image,
emphasizing the gruesome nature of
her actions. This contrasts with her
desire for a more ordinary life,
where she could enjoy simple
pleasures like eating black pudding.

ABOUT THIS POEM
Mark Mcwatt's 'Ol'Higue' explores
the inner conflict of an Ol'Higue, a
supernatural being from
Caribbean folklore. The poem
delves deeper into her desire for
normalcy versus the allure of
baby blood that keeps her
immortal. Mcwatt raises
questions about identity, desire,
and the cycle of life and death.
ANALYSIS TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
OF IMAGERY
"Mark Mcwatt's poem 'Ol'Higue'
delves into the complex thoughts
of a folklore character, the
'soucouyant,' prevalent in "You think I like this stupidness
Caribbean folklore. The free verse gallivanting all night without skin
poem, divided into three stanzas, burning myself out like cane-fire"
skillfully employs literary devices lines1-3
such as enjambment, imagery,
"And having to bend these old
metaphor, personification,
bones down to count thousand
rhetorical questions, and
alliteration to evoke sympathy and grains of rice" lines 10-11
"Hearing that soft, soft call of that
unease in the reader. Through the
character of the Ol'Higue, the pure blood running in new veins,
poem explores themes of death, singing the sweet song of life" lines
the supernatural, and the profound 14-16
desire for normalcy, offering a
"Holding her final note for years and
unique perspective on a traditional
years afraid of the dying hum" lines
folklore figure. Mcwatt's portrayal
of the Ol'Higue's inner turmoil and 18-19
her longing for a different
existence prompts contemplation
of identity, the cycle of life and
death, and the intricate interplay of
emotions and desires within this
interesting character."