Hanging Fire
Poem by Audre Lorde
I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me the boy I cannot live without still sucks his thumb
in secret
how come my knees are always so ashy
what ifI die
before morning
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 die before graduation they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth about me
There is nothing I want to do 20 and too much
that has to be done
and momma's in the bedroom with the door closed.
Nobody even stops to think 25 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
Who is the "speaker"