Poem 4 - Our Martyr By Alice Walker

Our Martyr

By Alice Walker

When the people
have won a victory
whether small
or large
do you ever wonder
at that moment
where the martyrs
might be? 
They who sacrificed
themselves
to bring to life
something unknown
though nonetheless more precious
than their blood.
I like to think of them
hovering over us
wherever we have gathered
to weep and to rejoice; 
smiling and laughing,
actually slapping each other's palms
in glee.
Their blood has dried
and become rose petals.
What you feel brushing your cheek
is not only your tears
but these.
Martyrs never regret
what they have done
having done it.
Amazing too
they never frown.
It is all so mysterious
the way they remain
above us
beside us
within us; 
how they beam
a human sunrise
and are so proud.

Analysis

            In the poem, Our Martyr, Walker talks on the theme of sacrifice and hope.  Walker says, " They who sacrificed themselves ", which suggests the theme of sacrifice being brought up by the author. In addition, Walker praises the martyrs as they are the symbol of human hope - " how they beam a human sunrise" - where they refers to the martyrs. In terms of the literary devices, Walker uses metaphor - "something unknown though nonetheless more precious than their blood. ", where there is a comparison being made between the result of martyrs' sacrifice to their blood. The metaphor is trying to show the readers that martyrs' sacrifices yield a much more valuable result than just their blood. Moreover, Walker's simple diction helps the readers easily get the author's message and is comprehensible by any age of person where the importance of the piece lies - a salute to the martyrs. Walker's metaphor and simple writing really help the readers understand as to how much the martyrs actually contribute to help the community and that their blood is not the only result but something of much more value.

            One way I can connect to this poem is when I donated my favourite toy  - a remote controlled car - to a child from a poor family in my back home, India. Yes, It did hurt me to see my toy in someone else's hand but I thought of the fun it will give the poor child. In this way, I can say that my sacrifice of the toy can connected to the sacrifice of martyrs of their lives. In addition, the benefits of the sacrifice can also be connected - a poor child achieves happiness while in the poem people's wants are fulfilled by the sacrifices of the martyrs. Through the above connections, I can connect that my sacrifice did do some good to the child and I also got his recognition which made me proud of myself, which is similar to the feelings of the martyrs expressed by Walker - " and are so proud ".

            The meaning of the poem is just to magnify on the value of the sacrifices made by the martyrs to the society. Moreover, the poem focuses on to respect the courage of the martyrs to give up their life for the benefits that they will never experience; although they die to ensure others live a happy live. From walker's background, I believe she is talking about the martyrs who died in the movements for rights of African slaves in America. Walker is trying to put light onto those souls who might have been forgotten by the people but their sacrifices were not that common to forget about them. Someone would write this poem to console the family members of the martyrs and reminding them that their lives have not gone in vain but have improved lives of many.  Other reasons could be to recognize the goodness. The purpose of this poem is to thank the martyrs and encourage others in congratulating and remembering them in our hearts as they possess a higher rank in the society through the sacrifice of their life for the betterment of others.

            I agree to Walker's ideas as to martyrs being the sunrise of our hope and because of such wholehearted people, mankind is alive and has the power to oppose the wrong and make an impact. Martyrs are the life of any movement and their life becomes a boon to the people, the community, the world. Appreciating such brave actions result into encouraging others to respect the goodness and also encourages others to commit such actions for the welfare of the society in future.