Summary of Gabriel Okara Piano and Drums

When at break of day at a riverside
I hear the jungle drums telegraphing
the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw
like bleeding flesh, speaking of
primal youth and the beginning
I see the panther ready to pounce
the leopard snarling about to leap
and the hunters crouch with spears poised;

These lines vividly describe a scene at a riverside at daybreak, where the sound of jungle drums fills the air, communicating a primal and urgent rhythm. It evokes a sense of raw energy and youthfulness, symbolized by the imagery of a panther and a leopard, poised to pounce, and hunters ready with their spears. The description captures the anticipation and intensity of a moment in nature, where the ancient instincts and forces of the wild come alive.

And my blood ripples, turns torrent,
topples the years and at once I’m
in my mother’s laps a suckling;
at once I’m walking simple
paths with no innovations,
rugged, fashioned with the naked
warmth of hurrying feet and groping hearts
in green leaves and wild flowers pulsing.

These lines suggest a powerful and evocative experience where the narrator’s blood surges with energy, transporting them back to their infancy, nestled in their mother’s embrace. They also depict a return to a simpler time, where the paths they walk are uncomplicated and devoid of modern advancements. Instead, they are rugged and shaped by the natural warmth of eager footsteps and heartfelt exploration amidst the vibrant presence of green leaves and pulsating wildflowers. It conveys a sense of reconnecting with the primal and elemental aspects of life, embracing simplicity and the beauty of the natural world.

Then I hear a wailing piano
solo speaking of complex ways in
tear-furrowed concerto;
of far away lands
and new horizons with
coaxing diminuendo, counterpoint,
crescendo. But lost in the labyrinth
of its complexities, it ends in the middle
of a phrase at a daggerpoint.

These lines highlight the contrasting experiences and emotions evoked by a wailing piano solo. The solo speaks of intricate and tear-filled compositions, taking the listener on a journey to faraway lands and new horizons. The music entices with its diminishing intensity, interwoven melodies, and building crescendo. However, the complexity of the piece ultimately leads to a sudden and unresolved ending, leaving the listener hanging in suspense at the midpoint of a phrase. It emphasizes the power of music to evoke a range of emotions, from enchantment to frustration, and the unpredictable nature of artistic expression.

And I lost in the morning mist
of an age at a riverside keep
wandering in the mystic rhythm
of jungle drums and the concerto.

These lines suggest that the narrator is immersed in the enchanting atmosphere of the morning mist, feeling lost in time and space. They find themselves wandering in the captivating rhythm of the jungle drums and the intricate concerto, becoming one with the mystical and primal elements of nature. It conveys a sense of being transported to a different realm, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, and the beauty of the natural world intertwines with the power of music.

Summary of Gabriel Okara You Laughed and Laughed and Laughed