AFRICAN POETRY
Comment on “Boy on a swing” as a search for self identity.
Explanation
The boy is obviously having a nice time on the swing apparently guided by his mother. As the swing moves slowly, to and fro, the boy seems to be in a joyful and playful mood, apparently undisturbed by the social events around him
As the swing moves faster and faster and as matters become confused and uncontrollable in his head "East becomes west..." joy and happiness give way to serious concerns. The need arises for explanation from somebody, particularly his mother. That is the point where the identity crisis become prominent. This manifests in the rhetorical questions he asks: Where did I come from? When will I wear long trousers? Why was my father jailed? He is increasingly worried about his identity. "Where did I come from?" the misery around him - "When will I wear long trousers?" — and the injustice of society that has incarcerated his father - "Why was my father jailed?" The poem ends, not resolving the boy's crisis.