Ol Higue by Mark Mc Watt

Literal meaning
In this poem, the Ol Higue tells of her frustration with her lifestyle. She does not like the fact that she
sometimes has to parade around, in the form of a fireball, without her skin at nights. She explains that she has to
do this in order to scare people, as well as to acquire baby blood. She stated that she would rather acquire this
blood through cooked food just like every other persons. Her worst complaint is the pain of salt and also having
to count rice grains. She exhibits some regrets for her lifestyle but implies that she cannot resist the smell of a
baby as well as its blood; this is because she is an old woman who fears death which can only be avoided by
consuming the blood of a babies. She also declared her usefulness in the scheme of things, however, by
claiming that she provides mothers with a name for their fears (that is the death of their child), as well as
someone to blame when the evil that they wished for their child, in moments of tired frustration, is realised. She
implies that she will never die as long as women keep having babies.
Explanation of each stanza
In the first stanza of the poem the character is pleading for sympathy because of all the indignity and suffering
the Ol Higue goes through.
In the second stanza she (the Ol Higue) complains that she is a victim of her own impulses and fears. For
example: Line 12 speaks of an impulse
Line 17-18 speaks of fears
In the third stanza she argues that she serves as a scapegoat taking the blame for whatever happens (infant
tragedies) meaning if she did not exist and an infant died who would the parents of that child blame.
E.g. lines 20-25 she accuses herself.

Literary devices
Simile
Cane fire has a very distinguishable quality. It burns very quickly and its presence is felt through its pervasive
smell. Therefore when the Ol Higue compares herself to cane fire in her fireball state, it implies that she uses a
lot of energy quickly, and is very visible.

Alliteration
This device emphasizes the Ol Higues dependence, even addiction, to the sweet blood of the baby.
For example: line 12 15
If only babies didnt smell so nice!
And if I could only stop
Hearing the soft, soft call if that pure blood running in new veins
Tone
The tone of the poem is slightly bitter and resigned. She accepts that the cycle of her life cannot change.
Mood
The mood of the poem is reflective. That is, it expresses ones deep thought.
Theme
Human Nature
It is human nature to die and it is also human nature to be afraid of death, so the theme of human nature comes
in when the poet states the Sweet Song of Life (line 16-19).
Singing the sweet song of life tempting an old dry up woman who been
Holding her final note for years and years,
Afraid of the dying hum
Superstition
The belief of humans in Ol Higue means that the readers reading this poem would have some belief in Ol
Higue meaning that they have some sort of superstition. The theme of superstition comes in the poem when the
poet mentioned line 20-28.