A Litany for Survival
by Audre Lorde
For those of us who live at the shoreline
standing upon the constant edges of decision
crucial and alone
for those of us who cannot indulge
the passing dreams of choice
who love in doorways coming and going
in the hours between dawns
looking inward and outward
at once before and after
seeking a now that can breed
futures
like bread in our children’s mouths
so their dreams will not reflect
the death of ours;For those of us
who were imprinted with fear
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
learning to be afraid with our mother’s milk
for by this weapon
this illusion of some safety to be found
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive.And when the sun rises we are afraid
it might not remain
when the sun sets we are afraid
it might not rise in the morning
when our stomachs are full we are afraid
of indigestion
when our stomachs are empty we are afraid
we may never eat againwhen we are loved we are afraid
love will vanish
when we are alone we are afraid
love will never return
and when we speak we are afraid
our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent
we are still afraidSo it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive.
Understanding “A Litany for Survival”
“A Litany for Survival,” penned by the powerful American poet and activist Audre Lorde, is a profound and moving work that speaks to the experiences of marginalized communities. First appearing in her 1976 collection, The Black Unicorn, the poem is less a narrative and more a sustained declaration, a rhythmic acknowledgement of the constant anxieties and fears faced by those living on the periphery of society. It is a poem steeped in the reality of systemic oppression, yet ultimately affirming of resilience and the courage to speak truth to power. The poem continues to resonate deeply today, offering a timeless message of survival, resistance, and the importance of voice.
Central Ideas and Key Themes
At its heart, “A Litany for Survival” explores the insidious nature of fear and the ways in which it is imposed upon and internalized by those subjected to oppression. The poem doesn’t depict grand battles or overt acts of violence, but rather the quiet, pervasive anxiety that colors every aspect of life for those constantly navigating precarious circumstances. It touches upon themes of societal marginalization, inherited trauma, the struggle for agency, and the unwavering desire for a future free from the burdens of the past. The powerful refrain, “We were never meant to survive,” is not a statement of defeat, but a recognition of the odds stacked against those who dare to live fully and authentically in a world designed to silence them.
In-Depth Analysis of the Poem
The Opening Stanzas: The Precarious Existence
The poem begins with the repeated address, “For those of us…” immediately establishing a collective identity and inviting the reader to recognize themselves within this shared experience. The opening lines, “For those of us who live at the shoreline / standing upon the constant edges of decision / crucial and alone,” paint a vivid image of precariousness. The “shoreline” acts as a metaphor for a liminal space—a boundary between stability and danger, safety and vulnerability. Those who live here are constantly forced to make difficult choices, often in isolation. The phrase “crucial and alone” highlights the immense weight of responsibility and the lack of support available. Lorde emphasizes a life lived in the present, “seeking a now that can breed / futures / like bread in our children’s mouths,” showcasing a desperate hope for the next generation to overcome the struggles of their parents.
Imprinted Fear and Systemic Oppression
The second stanza delves into the origins of this fear, suggesting it is not merely a personal emotion, but an inheritance passed down through generations. The striking image of being “imprinted with fear / like a faint line in the center of our foreheads” suggests a deep‑seeded, almost biological conditioning. This fear is learned “with our mother’s milk,” implying it is woven into the very fabric of identity. Lorde astutely points out that this fear is exploited by those in power—”the heavy‑footed hoped to silence us.” Fear is weaponized as a tool of control, an “illusion of some safety” used to justify oppression. Despite this, the stanza culminates in a defiant assertion: “For all of us / this instant and this triumph / we were never meant to survive.” This line is key to understanding the poem’s overall message—survival itself is an act of resistance.
The Cycle of Anxiety: Fear in Every Moment
The subsequent stanzas expand on the pervasive nature of fear, demonstrating how it permeates every aspect of existence. The repetitive structure—”And when the sun rises we are afraid…when the sun sets we are afraid…”—creates a relentless rhythm that mirrors the constant anxiety experienced by those living on the margins. The fears themselves are deeply relatable—fear of loss, fear of scarcity, fear of abandonment. Lorde skillfully demonstrates how even positive experiences—being loved—are tainted by the fear of their impermanence. The poem’s power lies in its honesty—it doesn’t offer easy answers or simplistic solutions, but rather acknowledges the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotion. “and when we speak we are afraid / our words will not be heard / nor welcomed,” speaks to the silencing effects of systemic oppression.
The Courage to Speak
The concluding lines, “So it is better to speak / remembering / we were never meant to survive,” offer a powerful call to action. Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty, the poem suggests that silence is even more dangerous. Speaking truth to power, even in the face of adversity, is essential for survival and for creating a more just world. The act of remembering—acknowledging the history of oppression and the struggles of those who came before— is crucial for maintaining hope and sustaining resistance. The poem’s final line reinforces the idea that survival itself is a triumph—an act of defiance against a system designed to silence and destroy.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Literary Devices
- Repetition: The frequent use of “For those of us” and the repeated “when… we are afraid” structure powerfully emphasizes the collective experience and the pervasive nature of fear.
- Imagery: Lorde employs vivid imagery—”shoreline,” “faint line in the center of our foreheads”—to create a visceral connection with the reader and to convey the emotional weight of the poem.
- Metaphor: The “shoreline” serves as a powerful metaphor for the precarious existence of those living on the margins.
- Symbolism: Fear itself functions as a central symbol, representing the forces of oppression and the internalized trauma that perpetuates inequality.
Poetic Devices
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, allowing Lorde to create a natural, conversational rhythm and to avoid the constraints of traditional poetic forms.
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment—running lines of poetry over into the next—creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, mirroring the constant flow of anxiety and uncertainty.
- Refrain: The repeating lines “For those of us” and the “when… we are afraid” sequences serve as a refrain, emphasizing the communal experience and the cyclical nature of fear.
Quotable Lines
The following lines from “A Litany for Survival” are particularly resonant and can be used to inspire reflection and action:
“So it is better to speak / remembering / we were never meant to survive.”
“For those of us who were imprinted with fear / like a faint line in the center of our foreheads.”
“And when we speak we are afraid / our words will not be heard / nor welcomed.”
“A Litany for Survival” is a powerful and enduring work of art that continues to resonate with readers today. Its unflinching honesty, its lyrical beauty, and its unwavering commitment to justice make it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of oppression and the enduring power of the human spirit.