VULTURES
Vultures rose with the breath of day’s wind,
Aligned with the order to devour the holy and kind—
These watchers cloaked in the robe of night,
Our cries stirred their urge to bite.
Again they circled as the wind soared high,
A solemn omen written across the sky.
A moment hushed, our fate cast wide,
For even the wind had learned to hide.
The sun refused to rise that mournful morning—
Was it a call to dawn, or a deeper warning?
Yes, it set before it dared to rise,
It bowed before the bloom of skies.
And behind the hill, a shadow grew proud—
So furious, like a provoked flood-cloud.
©Bunguswa™
Nice write up
ReplyDeleteI feel the words.
ReplyDeletecritical analysis of the poem "Vultures" by Bunguswa Brian:
ReplyDeleteTitle and Symbolism
The title "Vultures" immediately evokes images of death, decay, and opportunism. Vultures are traditionally seen as scavengers, and in this poem, they symbolize more than just birds—they become metaphors for oppressive forces, perhaps political, spiritual, or societal, that descend upon the innocent and the holy.
Tone and Mood
The tone is dark, reflective, and mournful. There's an undercurrent of helplessness and lament, but also a stirring intensity as the poet speaks of forces that "devour the holy and kind." The poem is haunted by silence, death, and unanswered cries, creating a chilling atmosphere that mirrors mourning and destruction.
Structure and Form
The poem comprises 14 lines, reminiscent of a sonnet in length but not in form. It uses free verse with no fixed rhyme scheme, allowing for a natural, almost prophetic rhythm. The enjambments and broken phrases give the sense of disrupted peace and scattered thoughts—mirroring a world thrown into turmoil.
Imagery and Language
Bunguswa Brian uses rich visual imagery:
“Vultures rose with the breath of day’s wind” — implies something unnatural, a twisted dawn.
“The sun refused to rise” — conveys a broken cycle of hope and renewal.
“A shadow grew proud… like a provoked flood-cloud” — suggests anger brewing, a force of nature ready to spill destruction.
The poet’s language is poetic yet sharp. There's a biblical cadence in phrases like “call to dawn or mourning”, evoking judgment and prophecy.
Themes
Death and Oppression: The vultures embody forces that feast on the weak and virtuous.
Silenced Hope: The refusal of the sun to rise and the setting before blooming symbolize lost promise.
Mourning and Memory: The poem is a reflection on a moment of collective sorrow and historical trauma.
Nature as Witness: The clouds, wind, and hills are passive observers—or even participants—in this scene of despair.
Conclusion
“Vultures” is a powerful allegorical poem that explores decay, violence, and stolen hope. Bunguswa Brian delivers a chilling but poetic reflection on a world where virtue is devoured and mourning comes in place of dawn. The symbolism is potent, the mood heavy, and the message clear: there are days when light itself is overpowered, and vultures reign.
©Linda S. Nyongesa, Wits university