The Ride
By Joyce Chigiya
Poem
A relay of notes in untidy piles
is played back to front
the partially displaced tout
bending his jean-clad butt
through an open window
holds on tight lest he be puked
by this bursting vehicle
as he relays back change
Please pay the fare, we buy fuel from the black
market
SUMMARY
• This is a descriptive poem of a
scene in an overloaded taxi,
carrying paying passengers.
• They pay a fare to a ‘cool’ young
man who returns their change and
insists they pay their fare as fuel
is very expensive and is bought
illegally.
Lines 1 - 2
A relay of notes in untidy piles conductor
is played back to front
• ‘money’ is the opening image. The notes are passed from hand to hand to the tout at
the front. Money is described as ‘piles’ – hinting at the low value of the Zimbabwean
currency.
• ‘Piles’ suggesting that a lot of money is required for anything – even taxi fare
• ‘notes’ – is a reference to paper money and the loud music played in the taxi.
• ‘relay’ – refers to the taxi moving from stop to stop based on money passed from hand
to hand like a baton within the taxi.
• ‘played’ – suggests a game – linked with how passengers are played with for the
financial gain of the taxi operators.
• ‘Back to front’ – at the literal level, refers to passing money in a certain direction.
Figuratively, it refers to a system that is seriously wrong.
• It hints at the corruption, chaos and disorder within the Zimbabwean government that
led to the collapse of the country’s economy.
• Emphasis is on the double meanings of the connotations of the diction.
• It establishes a sharply critical tone – a criticism of the operation of systems in
Zimbabwe.
conductor
Lines 3 - 5
the partially displaced tout
bending his jean-clad butt
through an open window
• The tout sits in the window collecting the money. The taxi is so full
that he is ‘displaced’ from a seat. He is hanging from an open
window.
• ‘Butt’ is a informal reference to the rear of his anatomy,
uncomfortably and dangerously sticking out through the taxi
window.
• This is the risk he takes to ensure his income. The word ‘tout’ has
negative connotations – he collects the overpriced fares from poor
citizens – some of which becomes his wage.
• The layout of line 5 reminds us of something dangling over an edge.
Lines 6 - 8
holds on tight lest he be puked
by this bursting vehicle
as he relays back change
• Personification:‘puked’ is a slang for vomiting. It is a repulsive
action. The taxi is like a huge overfed creature that can vomit
people out of its doors and windows.
• ‘bursting’ is an indication that the vehicle is full to beyond
capacity. It is full of passengers, sound and movement –
emphasising the discomfort within the taxi.
• These lines highlight the human plight of suffering as they
travel under such extreme conditions.
• The ‘relay’ image continues as the tout relays the change from
‘front to back’ this time, as he cannot move.
Lines 9 - 10
Please pay the fare, we buy fuel from the
black market
• These lines are in italics as they are not part of the description of the taxi ride. It is direct
speech spoken by the tout and it gives relevant information.
• The tout is unafraid as he makes his request. He is confident that he is safe as the passengers are
too dependent on this service to inform on him.
• It highlights the poet’s plea for attention to be drawn to the situation in her country.
• ‘Black market’ – the definition of ‘black market’ is an illegal trade in officially controlled or scarce
goods.
• Fuel is a controlled commodity and should be bought from recognised dealers but the economic
situation in Zimbabwe is so dire that it can only be obtained illegally. It highlights the breakdown of
order, the high level of corruption and the government’s inability to meet the needs of the country.
• Anything bought on the black market would be extremely expensive. There is a play on the word
‘black’ – the black market (passengers) pay outrageous fares because fuel is bought on the black
market (obtained illegally).
•
Relevance of the title
• At a literal level, it refers to passengers
travelling in an overloaded taxi.
• At a figurative level, it refers to people being
‘taken for a ride’ – citizens being deceived by a
corrupt government that does nothing to protect
passengers from being cheated/exploited/deceived
by ruthless taxi operators.
Form and Structure
• This is a descriptive poem that comments on the conditions in Zimbabwe – a brief and
vivid snapshot of a ride in a taxi.
• It is a 10- line poem that has no pattern, rhythm or rhyme.
• The language is simple, making use of simple, everyday words that have unpleasant
connotations.
• The poem relies on multiple meaning of words to communicate the sharply critical
tone.
• Enjambment (run on lines) sets a fast pace (Tempo) and creates the mood of a busy
and chaotic taxi ride.
• The layout of line 5 is effective. Line 5 “through an open window” creates the mental
image of something dangling over an edge.
Themes
• The poem reveals the economic crisis in
Zimbabwe. The currency is not worth a lot.
• There is corruption within the political and
economic system.
• It exposes the black market and exorbitant fuel
costs.
• It also exposes the culture of taxi owners and
the high fees that people are compelled to pay.
• People suffer the discomfort in taxis to engage
in a necessary activity like commuting.
Questions
1. Line 2. ‘played back to front’. Explain the literal and figurative meaning
of these words.
2. Lines 3- 5. What impression is created of the tout in these lines. Also
discuss the poets use of the word ‘tout’ as opposed to other words like
‘conductor’ or ‘ticket collector’.
3. Discuss the effective use of the word ‘puke’ in line 6 of the poem.
4. Comment critically on the last two lines of the poem.
5. Discuss the effectiveness of the form and structure of the poem.
6. Do you consider “The Ride” to be protest poem? Explain your answer.
