POEM 2

New Tongue – Elizabeth L. A. Kamara

They speak in a new tongue
And dance new dances
Minds battered into new modes and shapes
Their eyes revel in the wonder of the new
Embraced and bound hearts with impregnable chains
The old songs as disregarded dreams
Remnants of a past.
Ties of family and friendship
Loosened, broken, burnt
The ashes strewn into the bottomless sea
As fishes swim by
Careless of the loss
Mindful of where they dare
A new generation
Careless of bonds
Of family
Of tradition
Of heritage
They care not
Nor revere the old
Their minds turn inwards
Only inwards
Like the insides of clothes
That marry the bodies of mankind

No room for elders
No,
Not even on the edge of their minds
Their ears blocked to the old tongue
And ways of doing things

Glorying in their newness of a borrowed tongue and culture
Every man
For himself
By himself
Of himself
A strange coldness descending like snow covered mountain
Or like bathing at the back of the house
On a rainy July day
The gusts of wind falling trees
Carting roofs away
Tugging skirts
And swirling debris in the air

The borrowed shoes dance
Their borrowed minds parted the red sea long ago
They hang the last lock on their culture
And glide into the future
Without a backward glance.

ANALYSIS OF NEW TONGUE – ELIZABETH L. A. KAMARA

Elizabeth L. A. Kamara’s poem “New Tongue” is a profound exploration of cultural displacement, the loss of tradition, and the alienation that arises when a community or generation abandons its heritage. The poem’s tone is one of lamentation and critique, as it addresses the consequences of embracing a new, foreign culture at the expense of one’s own.

Structure and Form
The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to freely express the depth of emotion and the complexity of the themes without being confined by a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This structure mirrors the sense of dislocation and the breaking of old, traditional patterns that the poem describes.

Themes and Imagery

1. Cultural Displacement and Loss: The central theme of the poem is the cultural shift that occurs when people adopt a “new tongue” and “new dances,” signifying the acceptance of a foreign culture. The “old songs” are relegated to “disregarded dreams,” symbolizing the dismissal of traditional practices and values as irrelevant or obsolete. The imagery of minds being “battered into new modes and shapes” suggests a forceful transformation, implying that this cultural change is not entirely voluntary but imposed.
2. Generational Divide: Kamara paints a vivid picture of a generational rift where the younger generation is depicted as being “careless of bonds / Of family / Of tradition / Of heritage.” The poem criticizes this indifference, highlighting the generational gap where the elders are no longer revered or even considered. The phrase “No room for elders / No, / Not even on the edge of their minds” poignantly captures the extent to which traditional wisdom and the voices of the past have been disregarded.
3. Alienation and Individualism: The poem critiques the rise of individualism, captured in the lines “Every man / For himself / By himself / Of himself.” This shift towards self-centeredness is seen as a cold, isolating force, likened to “a strange coldness descending like snow covered mountain.” The image of coldness and isolation emphasizes the emotional and spiritual cost of abandoning communal bonds and cultural roots.
4. The Symbolism of Borrowing: Throughout the poem, Kamara uses the metaphor of borrowing to describe the adoption of a foreign culture. “Borrowed tongue,” “borrowed shoes,” and “borrowed minds” all suggest that this new identity is not truly owned or integrated, but rather something temporary and external. The borrowed elements lack the deep connection and authenticity of what is inherent or indigenous, leading to a sense of rootlessness.
5. Nature Imagery : The poem uses nature imagery to underline the theme of disintegration. The “ashes strewn into the bottomless sea” evoke a sense of irrevocable loss, as the remnants of the past are discarded in a vast, indifferent ocean. The “gusts of wind falling trees / Carting roofs away” suggest the destructive power of the cultural shift, as it uproots and dismantles the old ways of life.
6. Religious Allusion: The line “their borrowed minds parted the red sea long ago” can be seen as an allusion to the Biblical story of Moses parting the Red Sea. However, in this context, it may imply that the younger generation has left behind their cultural roots (symbolized by the parted sea) in a quest for a promised land that is not their own. This allusion adds a layer of irony, as the promised land they seek might be one of spiritual barrenness rather than fulfillment.

Tone and Voice
The tone of the poem is mournful and critical, with a voice that seems to come from a place of deep reflection and sorrow. The speaker appears to be an elder or someone deeply connected to the old ways, observing with dismay the changes that have come upon the community. The repetition of phrases like “careless of bonds” and “they care not” emphasizes the speaker’s frustration and sadness over the younger generation’s disregard for their heritage.

Conclusion
“New Tongue” by Elizabeth L. A. Kamara is a powerful reflection on the consequences of cultural erosion and the adoption of foreign ways at the expense of one’s own heritage. The poem laments the loss of tradition, the weakening of family ties, and the rise of individualism that leads to a cold, alienated existence. Through vivid imagery, symbolic language, and a poignant tone, Kamara captures the profound sense of loss that accompanies the abandonment of cultural roots, urging readers to consider the value of preserving one’s identity and heritage in the face of modernity.NEXT POEM

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