can someone please help me analyze what the black fruit dripping sap from the branches of lighting means in the first stanza

thank you

Passover: The Injections

Clouds pass over, endless,
black fruit dripping
sap from the branches
of lightning.

We lie down in the field,
thousands of us,
never mind the rain.

Soldiers come toward us,
groups of three or four.
The wind opens their long coats.
Underneath, their uniforms are black.

They bend over to the babies.
The babies cry,
for a little while.

"We are living in Biblical times,"
a woman says.

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1237059888

Black is often the color symbolizing death in western lit.

Read through the help you've already been given and turn your imagination loose. What would you feel like if you were literally on the ground with black stuff dripping all over you?

Think. Imagine.

"black fruit dripping" could also mean the dark clouds are dripping with rain.

but what does rain have to do with the poem

It doesn't...it is a metaphor.

a metaphor to what

to the clouds, it is just describing the scene. it is using the metaphor "black fruit dripping" to say the black clouds were dripping rain.

Peter, I answered this question for you yesterday. It is not rain.

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1237059888

i understand the lighting but i don't get the black fruit

Peter, what happens when people are shot or blown up or slashed with sabers?

Analyzing poetic symbolism can sometimes be subjective, as it depends on the interpretation of the reader. However, I can provide you with a general approach to understand the potential meaning behind the black fruit dripping sap from the branches of lightning in the first stanza of the poem.

1. Read and Understand the Poem: The first step is to read the poem thoroughly to grasp its overall context and narrative. Understanding the poem as a whole can help in interpreting specific symbols or metaphors.

2. Consider Literal and Figurative Meanings: In this case, "black fruit dripping sap from the branches of lightning" can be interpreted literally as the image of trees with black fruits dripping sap. It can also have metaphorical or symbolic connotations beyond the literal sense.

3. Break Down the Symbolic Elements: Each component of the description holds potential symbolic meaning. In this line, we have black fruit, sap, and branches of lightning. Consider what these elements could represent separately or collectively.

- Black Fruit: Black is often associated with darkness, mystery, or the unknown. The black fruit could symbolize something ominous, hidden, or forbidden.
- Sap: Sap is the life force of a tree. It nourishes and sustains the tree. It could symbolize vitality, energy, or the essence of something.
- Branches of Lightning: Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon associated with energy, illumination, or sudden revelation. The branches of lightning could symbolize a connection between the unknown or mysterious and sudden insights or revelations.

4. Look for Contextual Clues: Consider the broader context of the poem. Analyze the themes, emotions, or ideas explored in the surrounding lines or stanzas. Look for recurring symbols or motifs that may help shed light on the meaning behind the black fruit dripping sap from the branches of lightning.

5. Personal Interpretation: Once you have considered the various symbolic elements and contextual clues, it is up to the reader to interpret the meaning based on their understanding and personal connections to the imagery and themes of the poem.

Remember, poetry is often open to multiple interpretations, so there may not be a single correct explanation. The author's intent might differ from your interpretation, but analyzing the poem in this systematic way can help you derive your own understanding of its meaning.