'Hanging Fire' by Audre Lorde
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I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me
the boy I cannot live without
still sucks his tumb
in secret
how come my knees are
always so ashy
what if I die
before the morning comes
and momma's in the bedroom
with the door closed.
I have to learn how to dance
in time for the next party
my room is too small for me
suppose I de before graduation
they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth aout me
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done
and momma's in the bedroom
with the door closed.
Nobody even stops to think
about my side of it
I should have been on Math Team
my marks were better than his
why do I have to be
the one
wearing braces
I have nothing to wear tomorrow
will I live long enough
to grow up
and momma's in the bedroom
with the door closed.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Struggle of Adolescence in Audre Lorde's Hanging Fire
Audre Lorde's poem "Hanging Fire" is a powerful depiction of the struggles of adolescence. This classic poem explores the complex emotions and experiences that young people go through as they try to navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood. Through vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and poignant language, Lorde captures the angst, confusion, and isolation that can be so pervasive during these formative years.
The Experience of Isolation
One of the central themes of "Hanging Fire" is the sense of isolation that the speaker feels. Throughout the poem, we see her struggling to connect with others and to find a sense of belonging. She speaks of feeling "like a criminal" and being "afraid to go to sleep at night" - expressions of her deep-seated anxiety and fear. She also describes the various routines and rituals she engages in - watching TV, painting her nails, listening to music - in an effort to fill the void and distract herself from her loneliness.
The Struggle to Find Identity
Another key theme in "Hanging Fire" is the struggle to find one's identity. The speaker is clearly grappling with questions of who she is and who she wants to be. She talks about wanting to have a boyfriend and wear a miniskirt, but also expresses doubts about these desires. She seems to be searching for something, but is uncertain what that something is.
The Struggle to Communicate
A third theme that emerges in "Hanging Fire" is the difficulty of communication. The speaker often seems to be talking to herself rather than others, and her attempts to reach out to those around her are met with silence and indifference. She speaks of wanting to confide in her mother, but is unable to find the words. She also describes her fear of being misunderstood or judged by her peers.
The Significance of Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Lorde employs rich symbolism to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. The image of the "cold" radiator, for example, represents the speaker's sense of isolation and disconnect from the world. The mention of the "white boy" and the "black boy" highlights the racial and cultural tensions that are an underlying part of the speaker's identity struggles. And the reference to the "bullet in my breast" speaks to the idea of inner turmoil and conflict.
The Power of Language
Finally, "Hanging Fire" is a testament to the power of language. Lorde's use of vivid imagery and evocative language helps to bring the speaker's experiences to life, and allows readers to empathize with her struggles. The poem also highlights the importance of communication and self-expression, and suggests that by finding our voice and sharing our stories, we can begin to transcend the isolation and confusion that so often characterizes adolescence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Audre Lorde's poem "Hanging Fire" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the struggles of adolescence. Through vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and poignant language, Lorde captures the angst, confusion, and isolation that can be so pervasive during these formative years. The poem highlights the importance of communication and self-expression, and suggests that by finding our voice and sharing our stories, we can begin to transcend the isolation and confusion that so often characterizes adolescence. "Hanging Fire" remains a timeless work that continues to speak to the experiences and emotions of young people today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Hanging Fire: A Poem of Adolescent Angst and Identity Crisis
Audre Lorde, the renowned African-American poet, feminist, and civil rights activist, is known for her powerful and provocative poetry that speaks to the struggles and triumphs of marginalized communities. One of her most famous poems, "Hanging Fire," is a poignant and raw portrayal of a young girl's inner turmoil and existential crisis. Written in 1978, the poem captures the angst and confusion of adolescence, as well as the social and cultural pressures that shape one's identity and sense of self.
At first glance, "Hanging Fire" appears to be a simple and straightforward poem, with its short lines and colloquial language. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a complex web of themes and motifs that reflect the speaker's inner world and external reality. The poem is written in the first person, from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old girl who is struggling with various issues, such as her physical appearance, her relationships with others, and her sense of purpose in life.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone and mood for the rest of the piece: "I am fourteen / and my skin has betrayed me / the boy I cannot live without / still sucks his thumb / in secret." Here, we see the speaker's preoccupation with her physical appearance, particularly her skin, which she feels has "betrayed" her. This could be a reference to acne or other skin conditions that are common during adolescence, but it could also be a metaphor for the speaker's sense of inadequacy or insecurity. The fact that the boy she likes still sucks his thumb "in secret" suggests that he too is struggling with his own issues and is not ready to be open and vulnerable with her.
The second stanza of the poem introduces another theme that is central to the speaker's identity crisis: her relationship with her mother. The speaker says, "Our blackness is a sheen / on the surface of dark water / I come from a place / where breath, eyes, and memory / are one." Here, we see the speaker's pride in her blackness and her connection to her ancestral roots. However, the fact that she describes her blackness as a "sheen" suggests that it is something superficial or external, rather than a deep and meaningful part of her identity. The reference to "breath, eyes, and memory" is a nod to the title of Edwidge Danticat's novel, which explores similar themes of identity and belonging.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and emotionally charged, as the speaker reveals her deepest fears and insecurities: "I am a space eater / with no face. / My eyes are empty / like bullet holes in paper, / I have no scars / to show for happiness." Here, we see the speaker's sense of emptiness and lack of identity, as well as her longing for validation and recognition. The reference to "bullet holes in paper" is a powerful metaphor for the speaker's sense of vulnerability and fragility, as well as the violence and trauma that she may have experienced or witnessed.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces another motif that is central to the speaker's identity crisis: her sexuality. The speaker says, "My mother has never been / a pretty woman / and me / her only daughter / she tells me / how to behave in public / but I never know / what she means." Here, we see the speaker's confusion and ambivalence about her own sexuality, as well as her mother's attempts to control and shape her behavior. The fact that the speaker's mother is not "a pretty woman" suggests that she too may have struggled with issues of beauty and self-worth, and that she may be projecting her own insecurities onto her daughter.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and poignant conclusion to the speaker's journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance: "I have nothing to wear tomorrow / will I live long enough / to grow up / and momma's in the bedroom / with the door closed." Here, we see the speaker's sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, as well as her hope for the future. The fact that she has "nothing to wear tomorrow" suggests that she is still struggling to find her own style and identity, but the fact that she is looking forward to growing up suggests that she is beginning to see a future for herself beyond her current struggles. The reference to her mother in the bedroom with the door closed suggests that there is still a sense of distance and separation between them, but it also suggests that the speaker is beginning to assert her own independence and autonomy.
In conclusion, "Hanging Fire" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the struggles and triumphs of adolescence, as well as the social and cultural pressures that shape one's identity and sense of self. Through its vivid imagery, raw emotion, and complex themes, the poem captures the inner world of a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world, and who is ultimately able to find hope and resilience in the face of adversity. As such, it is a timeless and universal work of art that speaks to the human experience of growth, change, and self-discovery.
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