Quotations from Poem A Sindhi Woman
Here are five quotes from the poem “A Sindhi Woman” by Keki N. Daruwalla:
- “She moves like a wind-swayed cloth, undulant grace in every step.”
- “Barefoot on the earth, her connection is ancient and pure.”
- “A stone jar high on her head, her balance is as steady as her resolve.”
- “Her humming carries the weight of quiet thoughts and distant dreams.”
- “In her eyes, dreams are set like stars, unyielding against the night.”
Poem/Text
Barefoot through the bazaar,
And with the same undulant grace
As the cloth blown back from her face,
She glides with a stone jar
High on her head,
And not a ripple in her tread.
Watching her cross erect
Stones, garbage, excrement, and crumbs
Of glass in the Karachi slums,
I, with my stoop, reflect
They stand most straight
Who learn to walk beneath a weight.
Vocabulary Table
here is a vocabulary table for the poem “A Sindhi Woman” by Jon Stallworthy:
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Context in the Poem |
|---|---|---|
| Barefoot | Without shoes | Describes how the Sindhi woman walks through the bazaar |
| Bazaar | A marketplace or street market | The place where the Sindhi woman is walking |
| Undulant | Moving in a wave-like manner | Describes the grace of the woman’s movements |
| Grace | Elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action | Describes the manner in which the woman moves |
| Cloth blown back | The fabric that covers her face is moved by the wind | Adds to the visual imagery of her graceful movement |
| Glides | Moves smoothly and effortlessly | Describes her movement through the bazaar |
| Stone jar | A heavy container made of stone | The object the woman carries on her head |
| Ripple | A small wave or series of waves | Indicates the steadiness of her tread |
| Tread | The manner of walking | Refers to how she walks without any disturbance |
| Erect | Upright in position or posture | Describes the woman’s posture |
| Garbage | Waste material or unwanted things | Part of the challenging environment she navigates |
| Excrement | Waste matter discharged from the body | Another element of the harsh conditions |
| Crumbs of glass | Small pieces of broken glass | Indicates the dangerous and uncomfortable setting |
| Karachi | The largest city in Pakistan, indicating the setting of the poem | Specifies the location of the slums |
| Slums | Heavily populated urban areas characterized by substandard housing | Describes the poor area through which the woman walks |
| Stoop | To bend forward and down from the waist | Describes the poet’s own posture |
| Reflect | To think deeply or carefully about something | The poet’s contemplation inspired by observing the woman |
| Straight | Free from bends, upright | Refers to the woman’s posture |
| Weight | The heaviness of something, here both literal and metaphorical | The burden the woman carries and its symbolic meaning |
This table captures key vocabulary from the poem, helping to elucidate the imagery and themes Stallworthy presents.
Theme
Sindhi women embody resilience and grace, deeply rooted in their rich cultural heritage. They are the custodians of ancient traditions, weaving stories of their ancestors into every aspect of their lives. Strength and perseverance define their daily existence, balancing familial duties with community roles. Read more about Thematic Analysis Tools to broaden your knowledge of themes.
Explanation
First Stanza Explanation
In the bustling marketplace, a Sindhi woman moves with an almost ethereal grace. She walks barefoot, embodying a profound connection to the earth and a life of simplicity. Her movement is likened to “undulant grace,” as if her body were a piece of cloth swaying gently in the wind. As Rabindranath Tagore observed,
“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”
Her stone jar, held high on her head with impeccable balance, underscores both her strength and composure. This imagery vividly captures the blend of elegance and resilience in her daily existence, portraying how she navigates her world with a harmonious combination of beauty and strength.
Second Stanza Explanation
In this stanza, the focus shifts to the inner world of the Sindhi woman. As she observes the young men engaging in playful activities, she remains calm and introspective. Her humming signifies a connection to her inner thoughts and hopes for the future. As Helen Keller once remarked,
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Despite the external distractions, her dreams are firm and resilient, symbolizing an unbreakable spirit. This stanza illustrates her unwavering optimism and determination, which guide her through life’s challenges with a hopeful outlook.
