What are some of the visual images in the poem "The Slave's dream"?

The visual images in any story or poem cam be only
perceived through apt expression by the poet and H.W. Longfellow has certainly succeeded
in doing so.

The heart moving poem, “The Slave’s Dream”,
melts the lachrymal glands of many. It begins with the image of a destitute slave,
working under poor conditions. His lack of potency and recreation made all the more
worn-out and he went on to sleep, where he saw his former Native Land, which Longfellow
pictures in front of us.

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Again, in the mist and shadow of
sleep,

He saw his Native
Land.

Next, we are brought to
the vigorous lands of Africa where the slave resided previously, as a king. The Niger
passed by where he lived with his “dark – eyed”(black) wife. He also had his children
by, and all of them were embracing each other. The scenario intensifies as a tear falls
down from the slave’s eye. Along the Niger he travelled on
horse-back.

Longfellow then appreciates Nature of her
Divine creations as he mentions flamingoes and tamarinds and caffre
huts.

The
bright red flamingoes flew.

At night he heard the lion
roar,

And the hyena
scream.

The forests, with their myriad
tongues,

Shouted
Liberty.

The above quoted
lines signify an immense deal of liberty, equality and independence. These images come
across the slave’s mind because of his underprivileged condition, which makes these
things even more striking for him.

Then we are again
brought back to the original setting. The immortal part(soul) had left his mortal
portion(body) as he breathed no more.