Warning: The poem contains profanity and graphic descriptions of violence and may not be suitable for all readers.
Power
by Audre Lorde
The difference between poetry and rhetoric
is being ready to kill
yourself
instead of your children.I am trapped on a desert of raw gunshot wounds
and a dead child dragging his shattered black
face off the edge of my sleep
blood from his punctured cheeks and shoulders
is the only liquid for miles
and my stomach
churns at the imagined taste while
my mouth splits into dry lips
without loyalty or reason
thirsting for the wetness of his blood
as it sinks into the whiteness
of the desert where I am lost
without imagery or magic
trying to make power out of hatred and destruction
trying to heal my dying son with kisses
only the sun will bleach his bones quicker.A policeman who shot down a ten year old in Queens
stood over the boy with his cop shoes in childish blood
and a voice said “Die you little ******” and
there are tapes to prove it. At his trial
this policeman said in his own defense
“I didn’t notice the size nor anything else, only the color.” And
there are tapes to prove that, too.Today that 37 year old white man
with 13 years of police forcing
was set free
by eleven white men who said they were satisfied
justice had been done
and one Black Woman who said
“They convinced me” meaning
they had dragged her 4’10’’ black Woman’s frame
over the hot coals
of four centuries of white male approval
until she let go
the first real power she ever had
and lined her own womb with cement
to make a graveyard for our children.I have not been able to touch the destruction
within me.
But unless I learn to use
the difference between poetry and rhetoric
my power too will run corrupt as poisonous mold
or lie limp and useless as an unconnected wire
and one day I will take my teenaged plug
and connect it to the nearest socket
and I would strike an 85 year old white woman
who is somebody’s mother
and as I beat her senseless and set a torch to her bed
a Greek chorus will be singing in 3/4 time
“Poor thing. She never hurt a soul. What beasts they are.”
Welcome to an insightful exploration of Audre Lorde’s profound poem, “Power.” This powerful work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, systemic oppression, and the complex nature of rage. Through vivid imagery and unflinching honesty, Lorde invites us to consider the true meaning of power and the responsibility that comes with bearing witness to injustice. Prepare to delve into a text that remains as relevant and resonant today as when it was first penned.
Understanding Audre Lorde’s “Power”
Audre Lorde’s “Power” is a searing exploration of racial injustice, police brutality, and the internalized rage that stems from systemic oppression. First published in 1978, the poem responds to the actual case of a police officer who fatally shot a ten year old boy in Queens, New York, and was subsequently acquitted by a jury composed entirely of white individuals.
Central Idea of “Power”
The poem powerfully contrasts the destructive nature of rhetoric, which comprises empty words used to justify violence, with the transformative potential of poetry to bear witness to truth and convert pain into a force for change. Lorde argues that unless one confronts and utilizes this poetic power, it risks becoming corrupted, leading to a cycle of violence and revenge.
Key Themes and Noteworthy Knowledge
This poem grapples with profound themes of powerlessness, racism, grief, and the urgent need for self preservation in the face of systemic oppression. It is a visceral, emotionally charged work that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about race, justice, and the profound cost of silence. The poem’s direct reference to a real life event grounds its emotional intensity in a stark reality, making its message particularly potent and enduring.
In Depth Analysis of “Power”
The Opening Contrast: Poetry versus Rhetoric
The poem immediately establishes a crucial distinction between poetry and rhetoric. Lorde asserts,
“The difference between poetry and rhetoric
is being ready to kill
yourself
instead of your children.”
This is not a simple aesthetic preference; it is a statement about survival and moral responsibility. Rhetoric, in this context, represents the manipulative language used to justify injustice, to construct narratives that permit violence and oppression. Poetry, on the other hand, demands a different kind of courage: the willingness to confront the deepest pain and truth, even at the cost of personal suffering, rather than allowing that pain to be passed on to future generations. It suggests that true power lies in self sacrifice for the sake of collective future, rather than perpetuating harm through deceptive language.
Imagery of Trauma and Desolation
The second stanza plunges the reader into a nightmarish landscape of trauma. The speaker is
“trapped on a desert of raw gunshot wounds,”
a stark image evoking both physical and emotional devastation. The graphic description of the dead child,
“dragging his shattered black
face off the edge of my sleep,”
is deliberately unsettling, forcing the reader to confront the brutal reality of the violence. The child’s blood is not merely a physical substance but the
“only liquid for miles,”
highlighting the pervasive, suffocating nature of violence and the spiritual thirst for justice. The speaker’s disturbing thirst for the child’s blood is not a literal desire but a metaphorical expression of the consuming rage and grief that threaten to overwhelm her. The line
“trying to make power out of hatred and destruction”
reveals the desperate attempt to transform pain into something constructive, a struggle against succumbing to despair and finding meaning amidst profound loss.
The Injustice of the Legal System
The poem then turns to the specific incident that sparked its creation: the shooting of a boy of ten years by a police officer. The starkly recounted testimony,
“I didn’t notice the size nor anything else, only the color,”
exposes the blatant racism at the heart of the injustice. The phrase
“there are tapes to prove it”
underscores the undeniable evidence ignored by the legal system, highlighting a deliberate blindness to truth. The acquittal of the officer by eleven white jurors highlights the systemic bias that protects perpetrators of racial violence. The betrayal of the Black woman juror, who claims
“They convinced me,”
is particularly poignant, representing the internal damage inflicted by centuries of oppression. Her capitulation signifies a profound loss of agency, as she has sacrificed her own power, having
“lined her own womb with cement
to make a graveyard for our children,”
thus perpetuating the cycle of trauma and injustice for her community.
The Threat of Retaliation and the Cycle of Violence
The final stanza is perhaps the most unsettling, as the speaker confesses,
“I have not been able to touch the destruction
within me.”
This internal struggle, the temptation to succumb to rage and seek revenge, is a central theme. The speaker imagines a violent act against an elderly white woman, a chilling vision of retaliation. The imagined Greek chorus, singing
“Poor thing. She never hurt a soul. What beasts they are,”
is deeply ironic and disturbing. It exposes the hypocrisy of societal norms that readily condemn individual acts of violence while simultaneously tolerating systemic injustice that fuels such rage. The poem does not endorse violence; rather, it acknowledges the destructive potential of unchecked rage and the urgent need to find alternative pathways to healing and liberation, lest the oppressed become the oppressor.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Power”
Imagery and Symbolism
Lorde masterfully employs vivid imagery and potent symbolism throughout “Power.” The
“desert of raw gunshot wounds”
symbolizes the emotional and psychological wasteland created by systemic violence and unresolved trauma. Blood serves as a powerful symbol of loss, pain, and the enduring wounds of racism. The
“cement”
lining the woman’s womb symbolizes the suppression of life, the forced sterility of hope, and the perpetuation of trauma across generations. The strategic use of color, particularly the emphasis on “black” and “white,” reinforces the stark racial dynamics at play, highlighting the societal divisions and biases.
Metaphor and Personification
The poem is rich in metaphorical language. The central contrast between poetry and rhetoric functions as a powerful metaphor, representing the transformative power of truth versus the manipulative nature of language used to obscure it. Personification is evident in lines like
“my stomach
churns,”
giving human qualities to the speaker’s intense emotional state and making the internal turmoil palpable. The poem’s skillful use of metaphor and personification adds significant depth and complexity to its meaning, allowing abstract concepts to resonate with visceral impact.
Repetition and Refrain
The repetition of
“there are tapes to prove it”
functions as a powerful refrain, emphasizing the undeniable evidence of the officer’s guilt and the subsequent dismissal of truth by the legal system. This repetition underscores the profound injustice and the systemic bias that allows racial violence to go unpunished. The insistent rhythm created by this repetition adds emotional resonance and highlights the frustrating reality of ignored evidence.
Enjambment
Lorde utilizes enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, to create a sense of urgency and momentum. This technique mimics the natural flow of thought and intense emotion, drawing the reader deeper into the poem’s raw narrative. For example, the opening lines demonstrate this technique, allowing the idea of the difference between poetry and rhetoric to build over multiple lines, creating a powerful, uninterrupted statement.
Structure and Form
The poem’s free verse form reflects the raw and unconstrained nature of the speaker’s emotions and the chaotic reality it describes. The absence of a traditional rhyme scheme or meter creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity, allowing the powerful message to emerge without artificial constraints. The fragmented structure of certain stanzas mirrors the fragmented nature of trauma and the struggle to make sense of overwhelming pain, inviting the reader to experience the disorienting impact of injustice.
Audre Lorde’s “Power” stands as a monumental work, a testament to the enduring struggle against racial injustice and the profound impact of systemic violence. Through its unflinching honesty and masterful use of literary devices, the poem compels us to examine our own understanding of power, truth, and responsibility. It reminds us that true power lies not in the ability to inflict harm or manipulate narratives, but in the courage to confront painful truths, to speak out against injustice, and to transform personal rage into a force for collective liberation. The poem’s legacy continues to inspire critical thought and urgent action, proving that the voice of poetry can indeed be a powerful catalyst for change.