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The Spring’s Last Drop by Catherine Obianuju Acholonu
I can still recall their laughter
as they spoke of “lost virtue”.
I, Obianuju
I have learnt to live in scarcity.
So, cautiously,
I choose my steps
labouring up the steep hill
bearing on my head
in a clay pot
the spring’s last drop
but from the bushes
a sweet melody
streams forth
and fills my ears
disarming
tantalising
and the body
is tempted to sway
leading the feet
off the straight path
and the eyes
are tempted to stray
to find the source
the giver of temporal joy
but I must hold fast
my pot of spring water
though the seller of clay pot
never makes the “customer”
though the carrier of the clay pot
be the mother of an only son
and though this tune
vibrating in my ears
tempts me to dance
to sway my hips
in unison
with it
beguiling
yet I cannot lose it
this stem
this prop
I have laboured up this hill
through toil and sweat
and I cannot spill it
this water so pure
so clear so sweet
the dying spring’s last drop
I Obianuju
I shall provide my children
with plenty
I shall multiply this drop
shall multiply this drop
shall multi…pl…p…
General Introduction
"The Spring’s Last Drop" by Catherine Obianuju Acholonu is a poignant reflection on resilience and determination in the face of temptation and scarcity. The poem's speaker, identified as Obianuju, describes her struggle to protect the last remaining water from a dying spring, symbolizing her commitment to providing for her children despite hardships.
Title
The title, "The Spring’s Last Drop," sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a theme of scarcity and the preciousness of resources.
Themes
1. Scarcity and Survival: The poem explores the theme of scarcity, both in terms of physical resources, as represented by the "spring’s last drop," and in broader terms, such as lost virtue and the challenges of life. The speaker's determination to protect the water symbolizes the instinct for survival in difficult circumstances.
2. Temptation and Resistance: There is a clear theme of temptation in the poem, represented by the "sweet melody" that distracts the speaker from her task. The struggle to resist this temptation reflects the broader human experience of grappling with distractions and staying focused on important goals.
3. Motherhood and Sacrifice: Through the speaker's resolve to provide for her children, the poem touches on the theme of motherhood and the sacrifices mothers make for their families. The image of carrying the water on her head in a clay pot reinforces the idea of nurturing and sustaining life.
4. Perseverance and Determination: Despite the challenges and distractions, the speaker's determination to reach her destination with the water intact highlights themes of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit.
5. Legacy and Hope: The poem ends with the speaker's declaration that she will provide her children with plenty, suggesting a theme of legacy and hope for the future. Despite the current scarcity, there is a belief in the possibility of abundance and prosperity.
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "So, cautiously, I choose my steps" creates a sense of caution and deliberateness in the speaker's actions, emphasizing the difficulty of her journey.
2. Imagery: The imagery of "bearing on my head in a clay pot the spring’s last drop" evokes a vivid picture of the speaker's physical struggle and the preciousness of the water she carries.
3. Personification: The use of personification in "and though this tune vibrating in my ears tempts me to dance" gives human-like qualities to the melody, emphasizing its seductive nature.
4. Symbolism: The clay pot and the spring's last drop symbolize the fragility of life and the importance of preserving what is essential. The melody symbolizes temptation and distraction.
5. Repetition: The repetition of "shall multiply this drop" emphasizes the speaker's determination and commitment to providing for her children, reinforcing the theme of perseverance.
6. Irony: There is irony in the speaker's name, Obianuju, which means "born into abundance" in Igbo, juxtaposed with her current state of scarcity, highlighting the harshness of her reality.
Language and Mood
The language in the poem is evocative, with vivid imagery and sensory details that create a mood of struggle, determination, and longing. The use of descriptive language, such as "labouring up the steep hill" and "to find the source the giver of temporal joy," enhances the emotional depth of the poem.
Context
The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the challenges faced by many in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, where access to clean water is a significant issue. It also speaks to broader themes of resilience in the face of adversity, making it relevant to a global audience.
Conclusion
"The Spring’s Last Drop" by Catherine Obianuju Acholonu is a powerful poem that explores themes of scarcity, temptation, and determination. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem conveys the speaker's struggle to protect the last remaining water, symbolizing her commitment to providing for her children. It is a poignant reflection on the human experience of perseverance and hope in the face of hardship.
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