Analysis of "When I Knew Him Not"



Even when I knew Him not,
He had taken interest in me.
Even when I chose the lost path
Out of foolish nature,
He chose for me life.
Who would ever dream of me,
A prey in the mouth of tiger,
Ready to be devoured?
Mama told me, papa told me;
Only a day old was I, unable to drink. Surgery, suggested the physician
For my ailment: hernia at my throat.
How on earth! Day old infant!
Feeding only on liquid!,
Papa screamed.
Oh, Almighty, and merciful one!
My son, may he live.
You sent him forth with this,
Take care of him your way.
Into adolescence has little infant grown. And an adult has he become.
Thanks nature, thanks papa.


Scheme ABCDEBDFBGHIJKGLMNOP
Poetic Form Etheree  (35%)
Tetractys  (20%)
Metre 1011111 11101001 10111011 111010 11111 1110111 01001110 1011010 10111011 1001111010111000100010 1110100111 1111110 1010110 101 101001001 11111 111111 111111 0101011010101011101 110110
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 646
Words 140
Sentences 15
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 20
Lines Amount 20
Letters per line (avg) 24
Words per line (avg) 6
Letters per stanza (avg) 476
Words per stanza (avg) 121

About this poem

"When I Knew Him Not" is a reflection of childhood experience with nature. It depicts nature's benevolency and childhood innocence.

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Written on August 23, 2022

Submitted by Ernesto on August 23, 2022

Modified on April 21, 2023

42 sec read
4

Ernest Ejere Okoro

Hailed from Imo State Nigeria, Ernest Ejere Okoro studied at Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria. There he got his first Bachelor's degree(double major) in English language and Literary Studies. He is currently teaching at Stargate Excellence Academy in Abuja Nigeria. Ernest Ejere Okoro also has a Post Graduate Diploma-in-Education certificate with which he passes for an educationist. more…

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