INTRODUCTION
Poet POC Umeh explores the issue of poverty and its effects on both people and
society at large in his poem "Ambassadors of Poverty." Our understanding of the
poem's underlying meaning and message can be improved by linguistic analysis.
Language, its structure, and how it is used in communication are all subjects of
linguistic analysis. Analysis of language's phonological, morphological, semantic, and
pragmatic components is part of this process. By looking at these components, we can
learn more about the poem's content and how the language it uses affects our
interpretation of it. I shall examine the phonological and morphological elements of the
poem "Ambassadors of Poverty" in this linguistic analysis. While morphological
analysis studies the meaning and structure of words and their parts, phonological
analysis studies words’ sound patterns and structures. It is possible to have a better
grasp of how POC Umeh uses language to express her message about poverty and its
impacts by looking at the phonological, morphological, syntactical, lexical, and
semantical elements of the poem. POC Umeh's poem "Ambassadors of Poverty"
combines words to create a realistic portrait of the numerous players contributing to
Nigeria's pervasive poverty problem. I want to examine the poem from several angles
as a literature student. One noteworthy feature is the use of metaphors to explain the
many social groupings accountable for poverty.
AMBASSADORS OF POVERTY BY P.O.C UMEH
Ambassadors of poverty are
The corrupt masters of the economy
With their head abroad
And anus at home
Patriots in reverse order
Determined merchants of loots
Who boost the economy of their colonial order
To impoverish brothers and sisters at home
Ambassadors of poverty are
The saviours of the people
Office loafers in the guise of workers
Barons of incompetence
With kleptomaniac fingers
And suckling filaments
Position occupants and enemies of service
Locked in the corrosive war of corruption
With their people’s treasury
And killing their future
Ambassadors of poverty are
The dubious sit tight patriots
Frustrating the corporate will of their followers
The beleaguered, hungry and famished owners of the land
People priced out of their conscience and power
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Incapacitated by destitution
Unable to withstand the temptation
Of crispy mints and food aroma
Ambassadors of poverty are
The political elites
In air-conditioned chambers
And exotic cars
With tearful stories of rip offs
Tucked away from
Their impoverish constituencies
Lying prostrate
With death traps for roads
Mud for water
Candle for light
Underneath trees as schools
Rat for protein
Fasting as food
And alibi as governance
Ambassadors of poverty are
The rancorous elites in battle of supremacy
For the control of power
And their people’s wealth
Mowing down their own
With white man’s machine
Oiled by the prosperity of black patronage
Counterpoised by deprivations
As the corpses of their able-bodied men
Women and children lie un-mourn
In shallow graves
In their fallow farmlands
Long abandoned
Ambassadors of poverty are
The round trippers
The elusive importers
Of unseen goods and services
Sand inclusive
Who trip the economy down
By tricking form M
For harvest of dollars as import
When their people see neither money nor food
Ambassadors of poverty are
The able-bodied men on the street
Without motives, without vision, without mission
Men fit for the farm
But glued to the city
Hungry and desperate
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Constituting willing tools in the hands
Of political overlords
For mission of vendetta
Against political foes
In their fight for power
Ambassadors of poverty are
Those who actions and inactions
Reduce their people’s expectation to nothingness
Those who antecedents
Have lost the spark to inspire
While their people lie in surrender
Having been defeated by poverty
Ambassadors of poverty are
All of us whose in-actions
Steal our collective joy
Because of what we should do
Which we never do
As we bargain away
Our conscience in the market place
Under the weight of poverty
To assuage our hunger
And our master’s will
A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF “AMBASSADORS OF POVERTY” BY P.O.C UMEH
From the title “Ambassadors of Poverty”, the negative tone of the poem invokes a
feeling of anger, frustration and sadness. The title signaled that the subject matter of the
poem will be serious and potentially disturbing. It suggests that the poem will explore
the cause and effects of poverty, and perhaps point fingers at those responsible for it.
The phrase “Ambassador of Poverty” is used metaphorically in the poem to refer to
corrupt leaders who have enriched themselves while impoverishing the people they are
supposed to serve. The title of the poem “Ambassadors of Poverty” can be syntactically
analyzed as follows:
"Ambassadors" is a noun in the plural form, indicating that there are multiple
individuals or groups being referred to.
"Of Poverty" is a prepositional phrase modifying "Ambassadors," indicating the type or
nature of the ambassadors being referred to. Taken together, the title forms a noun
phrase that serves as the subject of the poem.
Syntactically, the title is simple, consisting of a noun phrase with a prepositional
phrase modifying the noun. The structure of the title suggests that the poem is about a
group of individuals who are serving as "ambassadors" of poverty, and implies that the
poem will explore the negative impact of poverty and those who perpetuate it.
The title "Ambassadors of Poverty" can also be syntactically analyzed as follows:
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"Ambassadors" is a noun in the plural form, with the root morpheme "ambassador" and
the derivational morpheme "-s" added to indicate plurality.
"Of" is a preposition, which is a closed class of words that do not change form based on
tense or number.
"Poverty" is a noun, with the root morpheme "poor" and the derivational morpheme "-
ty" added to create a noun “poverty”. The suffix “-ty” is a common English derivational
suffix that forms abstract nouns from adjectives or nouns. In this case, the suffix “-ty”
changes the adjective “poor” into the abstract noun “poverty”, which refers to the state
of being poor or lacking necessities.
Overall, the title consists of two nouns connected by a preposition. The noun
"ambassadors" refers to people who represent or promote a particular idea or cause,
while the noun "poverty" refers to a state of extreme deprivation or need.
The poem “Ambassadors of Poverty” by P.O.C Umeh is written in the third-
person point of view. The poet uses pronouns such as “they”, “their” and “them”
throughout the poem to refer to the corrupt leaders, political elites, and other societal
actors being criticized. The use of this word helps me as a reader to create some
emotional distance from the societal actors that are being criticized. This distance
enables readers to view societal issues from a more objective and critical perspective to
avoid personal biases or preconceptions. The use of the third-person point of view
enables me as the reader to view the societal issues from a broader perspective which
evokes strong emotions in me all through the poem, and it inspires me to take action
towards effecting a change in society. The poet maintained the third-person point of
view to the last of the stanza, meanwhile, the use of words like ‘us’, ‘we’, and ‘our’
made me think the poet has deviated from the third-person point of view the story is
been narrated, the use of the first-person plural pronoun "our" does not necessarily
indicate a first-person point of view because it is used to refer to the collective society as
a whole, rather than the poet himself/herself.
The language used in the poem is largely colloquial, simple everyday words that
are easily understood by the reader are used to communicate the message of the poem
to the reader. The diction is simple and straightforward. There are keywords in the
poem that is central to its meaning, and also the themes of the poem, such words are
“ambassadors”, “poverty”, “corrupt”, “leaders”, Nation”, “hopelessness”, “suffering”,
“hunger”, “disease”, “corruption”, “exploitation”, “despair”, “destitution”,
“marginalization”. These words highlight the theme of the poem, which is the
pervasive poverty, corruption, and suffering experienced by the people of Nigeria, and
the failure of their leaders to provide for their basic needs and aspirations. The poem
portrays a bleak and oppressive social reality, in which the masses are trapped in a
cycle of exploitation and deprivation, while the ruling elite enjoy the spoils of power
and wealth. The use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and allusions, as well as the
emotional tone of the poem, contribute to the impact of these keywords and the
message of the poem as a whole.
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Sounds play an important role in creating meaning in poetry, and "Ambassadors
of Poverty" is no exception. The poet uses a variety of sound devices to create meaning,
such as:
Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close
proximity. For example, in the line "Determined merchants of loots", the repetition of
the "m" and "l" sound creates a harsh, jarring effect that emphasizes the negative
connotations of the words "determined" and "loots".
Assonance: the repetition of vowel sounds in words in close proximity. For example, in
the line "Unable to withstand the temptation", the repetition of the "a" and "e" sound
creates a sense of longing and desire that emphasizes the theme of poverty and lack.
Consonance: the repetition of consonant sounds at the end of words in close proximity.
For example, in the line "With tearful stories of rip offs", the repetition of the "f" and "s"
sounds creates a sense of sibilance that emphasizes the negative connotations of the
words "rip offs".
Onomatopoeia: the use of words that sound like the thing they are describing. For
example, in the line "Mowing down their own / With white man’s machine", the word
"mowing" creates a sense of violence and destruction that emphasizes the negative
impact of poverty on society.
In "Ambassadors of Poverty", sounds are used to create emphasis, repetition, and
musicality, which contribute to the overall meaning of the poem. For example, in the
first stanza, the repeated "o" sounds in "corrupt masters of the economy" and "boost the
economy of their colonial order" create a sense of circularity and repetition, which
reinforces the idea that these individuals are stuck in a cycle of corruption and
exploitation. Additionally, the use of alliteration in "head abroad and anus at home"
emphasizes the contrast between the wealth and power that these individuals enjoy
outside their country and the poverty and suffering that they perpetuate at home.
Throughout the poem, the poet also uses rhythm and meter to create a musical quality
that adds to the emotional impact of the words. For instance, the use of shorter,
punchier lines in some stanzas ("The saviours of the people / Office loafers in the guise
of workers") contrasts with longer, more flowing lines in others ("Lying prostrate /
With death traps for roads / Mud for water / Candle for light / Underneath trees as
schools"), which creates a sense of ebb and flow that echoes the themes of power and
oppression in the poem. Overall, the sounds in the poem contribute to its meaning by
creating an auditory landscape that reinforces the themes and emotions expressed in
the words.
The words in the poem are used in several ways to derive meaning. Firstly, the
poet uses a simple diction to create a vivid picture of the "ambassadors of poverty".
Words such as "corrupt", "loots", "kleptomaniac", "destitution", "rip-offs", and
"vendetta" all portray a negative image of the political elite that the poem talks about.
This helps to emphasize the theme of the poem which is the negative impact of
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corruption on the people. Secondly, the poet uses figurative language to reinforce the
message of the poem. For example, the line "With their head abroad and anus at home"
is a metaphor that describes how the political elite benefit from the resources of the
country but neglect the needs of the people. The use of this metaphor helps to
emphasize the idea of the political elite being ambassadors of poverty. Lastly, the poet
uses repetition to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For instance, the repeated use of
the phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" helps to reinforce the main theme of the poem.
Additionally, the repetition of certain words such as "people", "power", "corruption",
"impoverish", "constituencies" and "import" also emphasizes the poet's message of the
negative impact of corruption on the people.
The poem employs imagery to let the reader visualize the scenes clearly in their minds.
Here are some illustrations of the poem's imagery:
"With their head abroad and anus at home" - This is a metaphorical image that describes
the corrupt masters of the economy who have their focus on foreign countries and
neglect their own country.
"Locked in the corrosive war of corruption with their people’s treasury and killing their
future" - This is a metaphorical image that depicts the corrupt officials as being at war
with their own country and people, with their actions causing harm to their country's
future.
"Underneath trees as schools, rat for protein, fasting as food" - This is a series of vivid
images that show the dire poverty and deprivation suffered by the people in the
country.
"Mowing down their own with white man’s machine oiled by the prosperity of black
patronage" - This is a metaphorical image that describes the elites in a power struggle
using violence and killing their own people, with the help of the money they have
acquired through corruption. These images serve to evoke strong emotions in the
reader and to emphasize the bleak and dire situation described in the poem. They help
to create a more powerful and memorable reading experience.
The poem has a relatively simple syntactic structure. It consists mostly of simple
and compound sentences, with occasional complex sentences. The poem is structured in
stanzas, with each stanza containing several lines that are mostly complete sentences.
The first stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second and third lines are prepositional
phrases that describe the subject. The fourth line is a noun phrase that serves as the
object of the sentence.
The second stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a compound sentence that consists of two independent
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clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "and". The fourth line is a noun phrase
that serves as the object of the sentence.
The third stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a complex sentence that consists of an independent clause
and a dependent clause. The fourth line is a noun phrase that serves as the object of the
sentence.
The fourth stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a compound sentence that consists of two independent
clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "and". The fourth line is a noun phrase
that serves as the object of the sentence.
The fifth stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a complex sentence that consists of an independent clause
and a dependent clause. The fourth line is a noun phrase that serves as the object of the
sentence.
The sixth stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a compound sentence that consists of two independent
clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "and". The fourth line is a noun phrase
that serves as the object of the sentence.
The seventh stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a complex sentence that consists of an independent clause
and a dependent clause. The fourth line is a noun phrase that serves as the object of the
sentence.
The eighth stanza begins with a noun phrase "Ambassadors of poverty" which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The second line is a noun phrase that describes
the subject. The third line is a compound sentence that consists of two independent
clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "and". The fourth line is a noun phrase
that serves as the object of the sentence.
The ninth stanza of the poem is composed of a complex sentence with several
dependent clauses. The main subject of the sentence is "all of us," with the predicate
"are." The following dependent clauses provide more detail on the actions and effects of
this collective group. The first dependent clause, "whose in-actions steal our collective
joy," modifies the subject "all of us" by describing how their lack of action takes away
their shared happiness. The next dependent clause, "because of what we should do
which we never do," explains the reason for their inaction. The following phrase, "as we
bargain away our conscience in the marketplace," describes how their actions lead to
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the compromise of their values and morals. The last two phrases, "under the weight of
poverty to assuage our hunger and our master’s will," further explain the circumstances
in which they make these compromises.
Overall, the poem consists mostly of simple and compound sentences that are
used to convey the poet's message about the negative impact of corruption and poverty
on society. The syntactic structure of the poem is relatively straightforward, with the
poet relying more on the use of figurative language and imagery to convey his message.
The lexical analysis of a poem involves the study of its vocabulary and word
choices, including the connotations and denotations of the words. In the poem, the poet
uses a range of vocabulary to convey the message. The poem is written in simple
language, but the words used are powerful and emotionally charged. Some of the
notable lexical choices in the poem include:
Ambassadors: This word is used throughout the poem to describe those who are
responsible for the poverty and suffering of the people. It creates an ironic contrast
between the positive connotations of the word "ambassador" and the negative actions of
these people.
Masters: This word is used to describe those who are in control of the economy and
perpetuate poverty. It suggests a sense of power and dominance.
Kleptomaniac: This word is used to describe the fingers of the "barons of
incompetence" who are stealing from their people. It suggests a sense of compulsion
and addiction.
Corrosive: This word is used to describe the war of corruption that is taking place. It
suggests a destructive and harmful force.
Beleaguered: This word is used to describe the people who are suffering as a result of
poverty. It suggests a sense of siege and helplessness.
Fasting: This word is used to describe the lack of food in the lives of the people. It
suggests a sense of deprivation and hunger.
The words listed above are just a few examples of the lexical choices in the poem. The
words used are carefully chosen to create a powerful message about the causes and
effects of poverty.
Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase runs over multiple
lines, without a pause or break at the end of a line. This technique is used in
Ambassadors of Poverty to create a sense of flow and continuity in the poem. An
example of enjambment in the poem can be found in all the stanzas but I will like to
take the first stanza as an example;
Ambassadors of poverty are
The corrupt masters of the economy
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With their head abroad
And anus at home
Patriots in reverse order
Determined merchants of loots
Who boost the economy of their colonial order
To impoverish brothers and sisters at home
The lines "Ambassadors of poverty are" and "The corrupt masters of the
economy" are separated by a line break, but the meaning flows seamlessly from one line
to the next. This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, emphasizing the
interconnectedness of the ideas presented.
In conclusion, P.O.C. Umeh's poem "Ambassadors of Poverty" uses a variety of
language techniques to make a strong point about the problems of poverty and
corruption in society. To bring the idea of poverty and the people who support it to life,
the poet combines imagery, analogies, and metaphor. The poem uses rhyme, repetition,
and enjambment to produce a musical and rhythmic impact. It is written in the third
person point of view. The poem's syntactic analysis reveals that it has a clear succession
of ideas and thoughts and is well-structured. The poem uses short, punchy phrases to
emphasize its point and convey a sense of urgency. The poem's meaning is mostly
determined by the extensive usage of lexical elements. The poem's title alone is a potent
element since it stirs up strong feelings and gives the reader an idea of what to expect.
Overall, "Ambassadors of Poverty" is a skillfully written poem that effectively uses
language to bring attention to a pressing social issue. The poem urges readers to take
charge of their own actions and fight the scourges of poverty and corruption in society.