Carol Rumens 'Carpet-weavers, Morocco'

The children are at the loom of another world.

The: article, highlight that the speaker is an outsider

at the loom of another world: metaphor, indicate that the children poses magical powers in weaving

Their braids are oiled and black, their dresses bright

Imagery

Their assorted heights would make a melodious chime

shows the different age range of the children, indicates that weaving is a common technique that all children learn

They watch their flickering knots like television.

simile, shows the engagement of the weaving process

As the garden of Islam grows, the bench will be raised.

the garden of Islam grows: metaphor of heaven

the bench will be raised: literally means standing on chairs to complete the carpe; metaphorically means raising their identity in Morocco society

Then they will lace the dark-rose veins of the tree-tops

dark-rose veins: personification, the children’s magnificent skill almost brought the carpet to life.

The carpet will travel in the merchant’s truck.

express certainty

It will be spread by the servants of the mosque.

mosque: engaging in religion

Deep and soft, it will give when heaped with prayer.

Deep and soft: the carpet provide comfort

heaped: the carpet will be used a lot, indicates that the children would be respected by the community when they finish this carpet

The children are hard at work in the school of days.

hard: engaging sense of community culture, skills for life and connection to religion

the school of days: weaving is a culture and a skill for life in Morocco, shows that they prioritize culture over education

The author addressed cultural differences.

From their fingers the colors of all-that-will-be fly/ and freeze into the frame of all-that-was.

fly, freeze: vividly describe the motion of completing the carpet

enjambment: mimics the flow of weaving

the carpet is used to express culture and history, and it is a huge part of the children’s future.