2. Explanation of stanzas

 

This poem is written by Raj Arumugam, an Indian poet born in \(1955\). He lived in Singapore till \(1997\) and then moved to Australia. He is a poet, teacher, writer and a businessman.

 

The poem "I Dream of Spices" is a simple free verse poem (no rhythmic patterns). It is about a mother asking his son to buy a few spices from the shop.

 

Explanation:

 

The poem is narrated by a little boy named Raj. One day his mother asked him to go to Muthu's shop and get some items. The items she asked were cinnamon, betel leaves, ginger and garlic.

 

 

Raj went to the shop by singing songs all the way. When he reached Muthu's shop, Muthu (the shopkeeper) asked him what items he wanted. Raj recited a long list on his own! He had forgotten what his mother had asked him to buy. He seemed to be dreaming of his own list of spices. He changed the entire list and said he wanted sesame seeds, onions, tomatoes and pickles! His mother mentioned none of these items. (Sesame seeds are the edible seeds of gingelly plant, from where gingelly oil is extracted. It is a type of oil-seed.)

 

 

He reached home with all the wrong items, and his mom twisted his ears. He shouted "Ouch!" in pain. Hopefully, he remembers the correct list the next time!