The guilt of Giving

The guilt of Giving by Laban Erapu

 You’ve seen that heap of rags

That pollutes the air-conditioned

City Centre

That louse that creeps about

In the clean core of sophistication

You’ve seen him waylay his betters

And make them start

Especially when they have no change.

You recall the day you came upon him

And were startled by his silent presence

Intruding into your preoccupation

You hurled a coin

Which missed the target

And rolled into the gutter

Where he gropped for it

With a chilling grotesque gratitude

That followed you down the street

You dived into the nearest shop

To escape the stare

Of the scandalizes crowd

That found you guilty

Of recalling attention

To the impenetrable patience

They had learnt not to see.

a)         What is the poem about?                                                                                

        Explain the meaning of the title                                                                     

c)        What is the ‘heap of rags’ that the poet mentions in the first verse? Why is the

description appropriate?                                                                                            

d)         What effect does the ‘heap of rags’ have on:

i) People in general;

ii) The ‘you’ in this poem?                                                                             

e)         In what ways does the ‘heap of rags’ seem to be psychologically superior to the poet?
f)         What feelings does the poet show for the ‘heap of rags’?      
 g)       What is the poet suggesting about the society in this poem? Illustrate your answer.
h)         Give two words in the poem that give the impression.