Question

It is called post modern world, it is a humanities class, i have to write a 500 word essay on the poem "English girl eats her first mango" by John Agard.

(a kind of love poem)

If I did tell she
hold this gold
of sundizzy
tonguelicking juicy
mouthwater flow
ripe with love
from the tropics

she woulda tell me
trust you to be
melodramatic

so I just say
taste this mango

and I watch she hold
the smooth cheeks
of the mango
blushing yellow
and a glow
rush to she own cheeks

and she ask me
what do I know
just bite into it?

and I was tempted
to tell she
why not be a devil
and eat of the skin
of the original sin

but she woulda tell me
trust you to be
mysterious

so I would just say
it’s up to you
if you want to peel it

and I watch she feel it
as something precious

then she smile and say
looks delicious

and I tell she
don’t waste sweet words
when sweetness
in your hand

just bite it man
peel it with the teeth
that God give you

or better yet
do like me mother
used to do
and squeeze
till the flesh
turns syrup
nibble a hole
then suck the gold
like bubby
in child mouth
squeeze and tease out
every drop of spice

sounds nice
me friend tell me

and I remind she
that this ain’t
apple core
so don’t forget
the seed
suck that too
the sweetest part
the juice does run
down to you heart

man if you see
the English rose
she face was bliss
down to the pink
and when she finish
she smile
and turn to me

lend me your hanky
my fingers are all sticky
with mango juice

and I had to tell she
what hanky
you talking bout
you don’t know
when you eat mango
you hanky
is you tongue

man just lick
you finger
you call that
culture
lick you finger
you call that
culture

unless you prefer
to call it
colonization
in reverse

Answer 1

oh i guess i should probably ask my question.. does anyone understand what its saying, googling it got me almost no where.. but im pretty sure it is filled with sexual innuendoes for a reason. I just don't know where to formulate an essay from here

Answer 2

I like this -- colonization in reverse.

What do you want to say about this poem?

Answer 3

The sexual innuendos are details supporting the author's main idea.

Answer 4

i have no idea what to say on this poem, i could compare it to the west indian and english cultures, and i guess the mango is the metaphor for the west indian values won over

Answer 5

Sounds good.