'untitled' by Audre Lorde

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The Marvelous Arithmetics of Distance, publ. W.W. Norton1992I.My face resembles your face
less and less each day. When I was young
no one mistook whose child I was.
Features build coloring
alone among my creamy fine-boned sisters
marked me Byron's daughter.No sun set when you died, but a door
opened onto my mother. After you left
she grieved her crumpled world aloft
an iron fist sweated with business symbols
a printed blotter dwell in the house of Lord's
your hollow voice changing down a hospital corridoryea, though I walk through the valleyof the shadow of deathI will fear no evil.II.
I rummage through the deaths you lived
swaying on a bridge of question.
At sevenin Barbados
dropped into your unknown father's life
your courage vault from his tailor's table
back to the sea.
Did the Grenada treeferns sing
your 15th summer as you jumped ship
to seek your mother
finding hertoo late
surrounded with new sons?Who did you bury to become the enforcer of the law
the handsome legend
before whose raised arm even trees wept
a man of deep and wordless passion
who wanted sons and got five girls?
You left the first two scratching in a treefern's shade
the youngest is a renegade poet
searching for your answer in my blood.My mother's Grenville tales
spin through early summer evenings.
But you refused to speak of home
of stepping proud Black and penniless
into this land where only white men
ruled by money. How you labored
in the docks of the Hotel Astor
your bright wife a chambermaid upstairswelded love and survival to ambition
as the land of promise withered
crashed the hotel closed
and you peddle dawn-bought apples
from a push-cart on Broadway.Does an image of return
wealthy and triumphant
warm your chilblained fingers
as you count coins in the Manhattan snow
or is it only Linda
who dreams of home?When my mother's first-born cries for milk
in the brutal city winter
do the faces of your other daughters dim
like the image of the treeferned yard
where a dark girl first cooked for you
and her ash heap still smells of curry?III.
Did the secret of my sisters steal your tongue
like I stole money from your midnight pockets
stubborn and quaking
as you threaten to shoot me if I am the one?The naked lightbulbs in our kitchen ceiling
glint off your service revolver
as you loadwhispering.Did two little dark girls in Grenada
dart like flying fish
between your averted eyes
and my pajamaless body
our last adolescent summer?
Eavesdropped orations
to your shaving mirror
our most intense conversations
were you practicing how to tell me
of my twin sistersabandoned
as you had been abandoned
by another Black woman seeking
her fortuneGrenadaBarbados
PanamaGrenada.
New York City.IV.
You bought old books at auctions
for my unlanguaged world
gave me your idols Marcus Garvey Citizen Kane
and morsels from your dinner plate
when I was seven.
I owe you my Dahomeyan jaw
the free high school for gifted girls
no one else thought I should attend
and the darkness that we share.
Our deepest bonds remain
the mirror and the gun.V.
An elderly Black judge
known for his way with women
visits this island where I live
shakes my hand, smiling.
"I knew your father," he says
"quite a man!" Smiles again.
I flinch at his raised eyebrow.
A long-gone woman's voice
lashes out at me in parting
"You will never be satisfied
until you have the whole world
in your bed!"Now I am older than you were when you died
overwork and silence exploding your brain.
You are gradually receding from my face.
Who were you outside the 23rd Psalm?
Knowing so little
how did I become so much
like you?Your hunger for rectitude
blossoms into rage
the hot tears of mourning
never shed for you before
your twisted measurements
the agony of denial
the power of unshared secrets.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Audre Lorde's Untitled: A Profound and Personal Exploration of Identity and Oppression

Audre Lorde is one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, known for her powerful and personal explorations of race, gender, sexuality, and other social justice issues. In her untitled poem, Lorde delves deep into the complexities of identity and oppression, using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the struggle for selfhood in a world that seeks to erase and marginalize certain groups.

At its core, this poem is a meditation on the difficult and often painful process of coming to terms with one's own identity in the face of systemic oppression. Lorde writes from the perspective of someone who has experienced this struggle firsthand, and her words are imbued with a sense of urgency and passion that makes them all the more powerful.

A Cry for Recognition

The poem opens with the speaker addressing an unnamed "you," asking them a series of questions that are clearly intended to provoke a response:

Is there something wrong with you?

Why are you so angry?

These questions are both rhetorical and deeply personal, reflecting the speaker's own experience of feeling misunderstood and marginalized. The use of second-person address creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as though the speaker is speaking directly to the reader and demanding their attention.

But the poem quickly moves beyond this initial confrontation, delving into the speaker's own struggles with identity and selfhood. The theme of invisibility is a recurring one throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the ways in which they have been erased and silenced by a society that refuses to acknowledge their existence:

I am invisible

Simply because people refuse to see me

This sense of invisibility is tied to the speaker's experiences of oppression, which are described in vivid and often brutal language. The phrase "I am tired of being beaten" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll that oppression can take on an individual.

A Celebration of Self

Despite these challenges, however, the poem is ultimately a celebration of selfhood and a call to action. The final stanza in particular is a powerful and uplifting affirmation of the speaker's own identity:

But still, like air, I'll rise

This line echoes the famous Maya Angelou poem "Still I Rise," and reflects a similar sense of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The speaker refuses to be defeated by the forces of oppression, instead choosing to assert their own identity and claim their place in the world.

The Power of Language

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of language, which is rich and evocative throughout. Lorde's words are carefully chosen and arranged, creating a vivid and visceral portrait of the speaker's experiences.

The repeated use of the phrase "I am tired of being beaten" is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of momentum and urgency that builds throughout the poem. The repetition of this phrase also emphasizes the cyclical nature of oppression, and the way in which it can wear down an individual over time.

A Personal Reflection

As a reader, I found myself deeply moved by this poem, which feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Lorde's words are imbued with a sense of urgency and passion that makes them all the more powerful, and her exploration of identity and oppression feels as relevant today as it did when the poem was first published.

Ultimately, this poem is a reminder of the power of language to communicate deep truths and convey complex emotions. Through her words, Lorde invites the reader into her own experience of oppression and invites them to see the world through her eyes. It is a truly transformative work of art, and one that deserves to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Audre Lorde's untitled poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a reflection of the poet's personal struggles and the challenges that she faced as a black woman in a society that was dominated by white men. The poem is a powerful statement about the need for self-love, self-acceptance, and the importance of embracing one's identity.

The poem begins with the line, "I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and highlights the importance of speaking one's truth, even if it is not always well-received.

The poem then goes on to describe the struggles that the poet has faced in her life. She talks about the pain of being rejected by society because of her race and gender. She also talks about the pain of being rejected by her own community because of her sexuality. These struggles have left her feeling isolated and alone, but she refuses to give up.

The poem then takes a turn towards self-love and self-acceptance. The poet acknowledges that she is not perfect, but she is still worthy of love and respect. She talks about the importance of embracing one's identity and not trying to conform to society's expectations. She says, "I am not wrong, I am simply different, and that difference must be respected."

The poem then ends with a powerful statement about the importance of self-love. The poet says, "I am my own best companion, and I must love myself before I can love anyone else." This line encapsulates the message of the poem and highlights the importance of self-love and self-acceptance.

Overall, Audre Lorde's untitled poem is a powerful statement about the human experience. It highlights the struggles that we all face in life and the importance of speaking our truth, embracing our identity, and loving ourselves. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and empower generations to come.

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