'Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted' by Shoshauna Shy
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My lemon-colored
whisper-weight blouse
with keyhole closure
and sweetheart neckline is tucked
into a pastel silhouette skirt
with side-slit vents
and triplicate pleats
when I realize in the sunlight
through the windshield
that the cool yellow of this blouse clashes
with the buttermilk heather in my skirt
which makes me slightly queasy
however
the periwinkle in the pattern on the sash
is sufficiently echoed by the twill uppers
of my buckle-snug sandals
while the accents on my purse
pick up the pink
in the button stitches
and then as we pass
through Weapons Check
it's reassuring to note
how the yellows momentarily mesh
and make an overall pleasing
composite
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted: A Critical Interpretation
Author: Shoshauna Shy
Year of Publication: 2005
Shoshauna Shy's poem "Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted" is a powerful and emotionally charged portrayal of a mother's love and concern for her son. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, the poem delves into the complex relationship between a mother and her child in the face of a harsh and unforgiving world. In this critical interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem opens with the speaker, presumably the mother, bringing her son to the police station to be fingerprinted. The opening line, "I lead you to the door, push you inside" (1), immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The mother is taking her son to a place that is unfamiliar and intimidating, and she must push him inside because he is hesitant to go in. This action symbolizes the mother's protective instincts and her willingness to do whatever it takes to keep her child safe.
The second stanza begins with the mother describing the police station and the people inside. She describes the "fingerprint expert," who is "wiping down the table with alcohol" (4-5). This detail creates a sense of unease and suggests that the experience is unpleasant for both the mother and her son. The mother also describes the "hard-faced policewoman" (6), who adds to the tension and discomfort of the situation. This image of the police as hard-faced and cold creates a sense of distrust and fear in the mother, who must entrust her son's safety to these people.
The third stanza is where the emotions of the mother really start to come through. She expresses her fear and apprehension about the situation, saying "I am afraid, but I don't want you to know it" (10). This line is particularly powerful because it shows the mother's desire to protect her son from her own fear and vulnerability. She wants to be strong for him, even though she is terrified.
The fourth stanza is where the poem really starts to shift in tone. The mother begins to reminisce about her son's childhood and the memories they shared together. She talks about how he used to draw pictures of the two of them, and how they used to play together in the park. These memories serve to humanize the mother and her son and to remind us that they are not just abstract concepts, but real people with real feelings.
The fifth stanza is perhaps the most emotional in the entire poem. The mother describes her son's innocence and vulnerability, saying "You're just a little boy, and I don't want them to hurt you" (19). This line is heart-wrenching because it shows the mother's desperation to protect her child from the harsh realities of the world. She knows that her son is not ready for this kind of experience, and she does not want him to be hurt or traumatized by it.
The sixth stanza is where the poem begins to wrap up. The mother describes the fingerprinting process, saying "they press your fingers onto ink and paper, roll them, and then take them away" (22-23). This image is powerful because it shows the physical intrusion of the police into the mother and son's lives. They are taking something from them, something that they cannot get back.
The final stanza is where the poem culminates in its fullest emotional impact. The mother describes how she feels after the experience, saying "I watch you as you laugh and run ahead, and I feel like I've lost something I can't get back" (25-26). This line is particularly poignant because it shows the mother's sadness and regret at what has happened. She knows that something has changed, that something has been lost, and she cannot bring it back.
Themes
There are several themes that emerge from Shy's poem "Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted." These themes include:
The Protective Instincts of Parents
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the mother's protective instincts for her son. She is willing to do whatever it takes to keep him safe, even if it means facing her own fears and vulnerabilities. This theme speaks to the universal experience of parents who want to protect their children from harm and danger.
Innocence and Vulnerability
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the innocence and vulnerability of children. The mother is acutely aware of her son's vulnerability and wants to shield him from the harsh realities of the world. This theme underscores the idea that children are not equipped to deal with the complexities of the world and need the protection and guidance of their parents.
Loss and Regret
A third theme in the poem is loss and regret. The mother knows that something has been lost, something that cannot be regained. She is filled with regret and sadness at what has happened, and this theme speaks to the idea that some experiences change us forever.
Literary Devices
Shy employs several literary devices in her poem, including:
Imagery
The use of imagery is particularly effective in the poem because it creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the mother and her son. The images of the police station, the fingerprint expert, and the hard-faced policewoman all serve to create a sense of tension and unease. The images of the mother and son playing in the park and drawing pictures together create a sense of warmth and tenderness that contrasts with the harsh reality of the police station.
Personification
Shy also employs personification in the poem, particularly in the descriptions of the police station and the people inside. The fingerprint expert is described as "wiping down the table with alcohol" (4-5), giving the impression that the room is somehow alive and hostile. The hard-faced policewoman is also personified, with the description "her expression like a mask" (7) suggesting that she is hiding something.
Repetition
The use of repetition is also effective in the poem, particularly in the repeated phrase "I lead you to the door, push you inside" (1). This repetition serves to underscore the mother's protective instincts and her determination to see the process through to the end.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shoshauna Shy's poem "Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted" is a powerful and emotionally charged portrayal of a mother's love and concern for her child. Through the use of vivid imagery, raw emotion, and powerful literary devices, Shy creates a portrait of a mother who will do whatever it takes to protect her son, even in the face of harsh and unforgiving forces. This poem speaks to the universal experiences of parents and children, the loss of innocence, and the importance of protecting the vulnerable. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience and to move us to tears and to action.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted: A Poem Analysis
As a mother, the thought of bringing your child to a police station can be daunting. The fear of the unknown and the possibility of something going wrong can be overwhelming. In Shoshauna Shy's poem, "Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted," she captures this fear and anxiety perfectly. The poem is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the complex relationship between a mother and her son, and the harsh realities of living in a society where crime and violence are prevalent.
The poem begins with the mother and her son walking towards the police station. The mother is nervous and anxious, and her son is oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Shy writes, "My son skips ahead, / unaware of the gravity / of this moment." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The mother is worried about her son's safety and well-being, while her son is carefree and innocent.
As they enter the police station, the mother is struck by the harshness of the environment. She describes the police officers as "men in blue / with guns on their hips." The mother is acutely aware of the power dynamic at play here. She is a black woman, and her son is a black boy. She knows that they are at a disadvantage in this situation, and she is afraid of what might happen.
The mother and her son are then led to a room where the fingerprinting will take place. The mother is struck by the coldness of the room. She describes it as "sterile and white." The room is a stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of her home. The mother is reminded of the harsh realities of the world outside, where crime and violence are prevalent.
As the fingerprinting process begins, the mother is struck by the vulnerability of her son. She writes, "My son's small hand / in the officer's large one." The mother is reminded of how fragile her son is, and how much she wants to protect him from the dangers of the world. She is also aware of the fact that her son is being forced to grow up too quickly. He is being exposed to the harsh realities of the world at a young age, and she is afraid of the impact it will have on him.
The poem then takes a turn as the mother reflects on her own experiences with the police. She writes, "I remember my own / encounters with the law." The mother is aware of the fact that her own experiences with the police have shaped her perception of them. She knows that not all police officers are bad, but she also knows that there are many who abuse their power. She is afraid that her son will become a victim of police brutality, and she is determined to do everything in her power to protect him.
The poem ends with the mother and her son leaving the police station. The mother is relieved that the process is over, but she is also aware of the fact that this is just the beginning. She knows that there will be many more encounters with the police in the future, and she is afraid of what might happen. She writes, "We step out into the sunlight, / and I hold my son's hand tightly, / knowing that this is just the beginning."
In conclusion, "Bringing My Son To The Police Station To Be Fingerprinted" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the complex relationship between a mother and her son, and the harsh realities of living in a society where crime and violence are prevalent. Shoshauna Shy captures the fear and anxiety that many parents feel when bringing their children to a police station, and she does so with great sensitivity and insight. The poem is a reminder of the importance of protecting our children and of the need to work towards a society where everyone feels safe and secure.
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