The poet presents an image of a world before colonialism which brought great devastation. The dominant image is that of commerce: "We had traded in this market competitively perfect", suggesting peace.
The picture changes dramatically, however, when colonization sets in to disrupt the erstwhile peaceful co-existence. The metaphor of "cut our ribs, dried our cows" and "burst the cowshed" presents a picture of devastation affecting agriculture and the economy which have been the bulwark of the people's prosperity. The very natural environment is not spared by the reference to words like "drought" and "famine". The blackman's confidence is thus crowded as he is cut off from his means of livelihood.
After presenting such a grim picture of life after colonialism the poet enters into a state of personal lamentation. This is captured by the hyperbole in "my tears flowed to flooded streams", while the allusion to Sodom and Gomorrah presages the complete penury into which the poet has sunk. The image of the debtors and creditors at "my rusty door" is poignant. He has become the laughing stock of others as what is left of his miserable possessions is auctioned. The devastation brought in by colonialism is total and the poet's own life becomes a veritable testament.