Some aspects of imagery in the poetry of S.M. Burns-Ncamashe

Abstract

This article investigates the use of imagery in the poetry of S.M. Burns-Ncamashe, as it is apparent that his poetry is rich in imagery. The aspects of imagery to be discussed are simile, metaphor and personification. The discussion then aims at revealing the nature of the imagery the poet uses and the domains of reality that he explores with his images.

The poetry of Burns-Ncamashe that will be considered includes the already published poems in Masibaliselane (1961), Izibongo zakwa- Sesile (1979), the unpublished poem titled “Aa! Dalubuhle!” and the one in the volume compiled by Tonjeni (1959). Certain poems on tapes [T(XH/96)5, T(XH/90)317, T(XH/93)28 and T(XH/94)84] will also be considered for this discussion. Prior to the discussion of the elements of imagery Burns-Ncamashe will be introduced and the concepts “imagery” defined. A concluding section briefly summarises the discussion and highlights some of the findings.