A Prayer for my Countrymen
Guy Butler
Post-apartheid ‘protest’ poem
Poet is not asking for justice – doesn’t
rage against system of Apartheid – a
time of deep resentment and
misunderstanding
Asking God to create understanding
between all races
A prayer for all my countrymen
A conversation with God / strong wish
for something
no discrimination
patriotic feeling
all South Africans/fellow South Africans
1. Though now few eyes
2. can see beyond
3. this tragic time's
4. complexities,
5. dear God, ordain
6. such deed be done,
7. such words be said,
8. that men will praise
9. Your image yet
10.when all these terrors
11.and hates are dead:
12.Through rotting days,
13.beaten, broken,
14.some stayed pure;
15.others learnt how
16.to grin and endure;
17.and here and there
18.a heart stayed warm,
19.a head grew clear.
INTENTION:
*to show/ share concern about the political
and social problems in South Africa
*to express faith in love and
mercy of God – good will
prevail
*praying to God, on behalf of
all people in SA, to remove all
political tension and injustice
in SA to create understanding
between races
THEMES:
*describing the effect of violence and the
tragic events of Apartheid on people
*reconciliation can only come from God
*people could lose faith in God because of
atrocities
STRUCTURE:
*2 stanzas: stanza 1 – prayer
stanza 2 - answer
*every line has 4 syllables
*short lines – regular rhythm ---- smooth
and flowing feeling + repetition = prayer
*free verse
Stanza 1
THOUGH NOW FEW EYES
CAN SEE BEYOND
SYNECHDOCHE
not many South Africans can look beyond
the terrible political and social problems
not many were hopeful for a better
future
THOUGH NOW
in spite of the fact
after Apartheid when terrible social
and political injustices occurred
this tragic time's
Apartheid
all the deaths, persecution and
unequal rights – the victimisation
ALLITERATION
creates feelings of anguish and dismay/
it was all so unnecessary- can be ironed
out
COMPLEXITIES
system of Apartheid was a very intricate
political and social situation – lots of evils
WORD ON ITS OWN?
emphasises
seriousness and
difficulties
DEAR GOD, ORDAIN
APOSTROPHE
begs God to intervene and help people
to change
SUCH DEED BE DONE
SUCH WORDS BE SAID
ANTITHESIS
responsible action vs communication
treat each other with kindness and
consideration and fairness
NO violence / hatred
SUCH WORDS BE SAID
meaningful dialogue that shows mutual
respect will lead to reconciliation
change violence to kindness
THAT MEN WILL PRAISE
YOUR IMAGE YET,
people must not lose their faith in God
when they see all the tragic events
unfolding in the country
whatever people do must still
honour God and set an example
WHEN ALL THESE TERRORS
AND HATES ARE DEAD
METAPHORS
senseless violence and terrorism caused
by oppression and deeply rooted hatred
positive and hopeful about future – no
more violence and hatred
STANZA 2
THROUGH ROTTING DAYS
METAPHOR
all the violence and criminal acts committed
in name of Apartheid compared to fruit that
decays
LITERALLY: people rotted away in jails –
spent long time in jail
FIGURATIVELY: people suffered for what
they believed in – an unhealthy system
ROTTING
continuing condition – there will always
be evil elements to overcome
BEATEN, BROKEN
ALLITERATION
people were tortured and interrogated
by police -victimisation
LITERALLY : physically beaten and tortured
FIGURATIVELY: lost spirit to fight – lost
hope - defeated
SOME (PEOPLE) STAYED PURE
weren’t filled with hatred – remained
uncorrupted
showed true spirit
OTHERS LEARNT HOW
TO GRIN AND ENDURE
acquired survival mechanisms
IDIOM: grin and bear
suffered without complaining – waited
patiently
AND HERE AND THERE
only a few scattered thinly
A HEART STAYED WARM
SYNECHDOCHE
some remained hopeful that change will
happen – still showed love and goodwill
A HEAD GREW CLEAR
remained rational and started to think
for themselves - did not allow emotions
to cloud judgement despite violence