the first section she describes her memories of the weeks before he was born: her excited anticipation, the difficult birth. In the second section she describes the progress of his travels and her mixed feelings about his departure. She is caught up in the romance and adventure of his travels in exotic places but misses him greatly. In contrast, his grandfather’s blunt advice reminds her of the very real dangers he might encounter. She cannot hide her strong feelings of disappointment when she learns he will return home four weeks later than she had expected, but comments with wry humour that she feels a home-alone mother”. In the last two stanzas, however, her “like mood changes to one of elation and pride when she looks at photos of her son top of “on the world”. It seems no time since he was a baby dreaming in his Moses basket. Questions at the first stanza. What feelings does the poet have as she awaits her son’s birth? •Look the language techniques used in the following phrases: tub of a stomach”; •Name burping, awake, asleep”; and say how effective these expressions are in “turning, describing the expectant mother’s experience. does the phrase stranger” and the word tell us about the poet’s •What “tumshie” feelings about her unborn child? does the poet link the two sections of the poem? •How is the poet’s first reaction to the grand-father’s blunt advice? •What does she react to the news that he will be returning four weeks later than •How expected? last two stanzas signal a further mood change. Comment on the effectiveness of the •The language the poet uses to convey her feelings. on the poet’s word choice in the phrase flip and a skip ago”. What is she •Comment “a trying to emphasise? Lucozade My mum is on a high bed next to sad chrysanthemums. bring flowers, they only wilt and die.’ ‘Don’t
the first section she describes her memories of the weeks before he was born: her excited anticipation, the difficult birth. In the second section she describes the progress of his travels and her mixed feelings about his departure. She is caught up in the romance and adventure of his travels in exotic places but misses him greatly. In contrast, his grandfather’s blunt advice reminds her of the very real dangers he might encounter. She cannot hide her strong feelings of disappointment when she learns he will return home four weeks later than she had expected, but comments with wry humour that she feels “like a home-alone mother”. In the last two stanzas, however, her mood changes to one of elation and pride when she looks at photos of her son “on top of the world”. It seems no time since he was a baby dreaming in his Moses basket. Questions •Look at the first stanza. What feelings does the poet have as she awaits her son’s birth? •Name the language techniques used in the following phrases: tub of a stomach”; “turning, burping, awake, asleep”; and say how effective these expressions are in describing the expectant mother’s experience. •What does the phrase stranger” and the word “tumshie” tell us about the poet’s feelings about her unborn child? •How does the poet link the two sections of the poem? •What is the poet’s first reaction to the grand-father’s blunt advice? •How does she react to the news that he will be returning four weeks later than expected? •The last two stanzas signal a further mood change. Comment on the effectiveness of the language the poet uses to convey her feelings. •Comment on the poet’s word choice in the phrase “a flip and a skip ago”. What is she trying to emphasise? Lucozade My mum is on a high bed next to sad chrysanthemums. ‘Don’t bring flowers, they only wilt and die.’
jackie-kay-poetry-booklet.docx