Stanza Explanation on the African Poetry- A Government Driver on His Retirement by Onu Chibuike - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Explaining each stanza of the poem "A Government Driver on His Retirement" by Chibuike Onu:

Stanza 1:
"Many years on wheels
In faithful service to his fatherland
Today retires he home
And a celebration he holds"

- In this stanza, the poem introduces the central character, a government driver who has served his country diligently for many years. He is now retiring and has returned home, where he is hosting a celebration.

Stanza 2:
"Many years has he pummeled his boozy throat
In obedience to duty rules and regulations
Today, he’ll go home a freeman
Eligible for his country’s services"

- This stanza acknowledges the driver's long years of service, during which he adhered to the rules and regulations, which may have included not drinking alcohol while on duty. With retirement, he is now free to enjoy the services and freedoms of his country.

Stanza 3:
“Come friends, rejoice with me
I shall booze and zoom myself home
Away from duty rules
Come celebrate my freedom”

- The driver invites his friends to join him in celebrating his retirement. He intends to drink and enjoy his newfound freedom after years of adhering to strict duty rules.

Stanza 4:
“Early to duty tomorrow holds not,
Thirty-five years of faithful services
I’ll booze to sleep away my sufferings
Today I’ve long waited for”

- The driver expresses his relief that he no longer has to wake up early for duty. He plans to indulge in drinking to alleviate any suffering or stress he may have experienced during his years of service. This day of retirement has been eagerly awaited.

Stanza 5:
"More joy to send him home
A brand new car in his name
An appreciative symbol
For undented thirty years of service to fatherland"

- The poem mentions the joy of sending the driver off in retirement. He is rewarded with a brand new car as a symbol of appreciation for his thirty years of dedicated service to his country.

Stanza 6:
“Come friends, and rejoice more,
Joy till no more joy to joy
Today frees and makes me a king
My patience rewarded.”

- The driver once again calls on his friends to share in his joy. He feels like a king, as his patience and years of service are finally rewarded with retirement.

Stanza 7:
"And so, he boozed and boozed
Celebrating the celebration of his retirement
From faithful service to fatherland
He battled with his bottle booze"

- This stanza describes how the driver indulges in alcohol to celebrate his retirement. He drinks excessively to commemorate this significant moment in his life.

Stanza 8:
"On his way home on wheels,
Booze boozed his vision and clear judgment
He boomed his brand new car
And it sent him home
Home to rest in peace."

- Unfortunately, the driver's excessive drinking impairs his judgment and vision. He loses control of his new car and has a tragic accident on his way home, resulting in his death ("home to rest in peace").

In summary, the poem "Many Years on Wheels" by Chibuike Onu tells the story of a government driver's retirement celebration, which ultimately ends in tragedy due to excessive drinking. The poem explores themes of freedom, indulgence, and the consequences of one's actions, even in moments of celebration.