Hanging Fire

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:

Featured Poetry of Audre Lorde: An American writer, feminist, librarian and civil rights activist. She was self-described “warrior poet, black lesbian and mother who dedicated both her life and creative talents to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, class and homophobia”(1934-1992).

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 if I 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   

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.

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

21 thoughts on “Hanging Fire”

  2. Thank you for sharing this poet, Tammy. I can’t even imagine enduring multiple types of injustices in the way she has. But she clearly endured and thrived and used her platform to speak up and spread light.

    Being a librarian myself, I have great admiration for those who paved the way before my generation.

    Happy Easter Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That line I what stood out to me the most, as it reminds me of the days when I was a child & didn’t know my mom was battling depression. This poem speaks volumes for me.
      The bright side is now being able to talk about it with my mom. Such a blessing 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh sure, you got the point. It’s true… sometimes parents become too depressed to ever think about the kid’s own depression, and the kid mightn’t just know. Such a point, my friend. 🥰

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That’s thing, often the parents don’t know they’re experiencing depression either. At least that was the case back then with my mom, especially coming from the south.

        Like

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