Hangin' Fire - The Chicago Poetry Center

Hangin’ Fire

“Hanging Fire” by Audre Lorde begins “I am fourteen.” Right away, we know how old this speaker is and can put context into the mindset of the speaker. While the poem goes deeper than that and at TEAM this week that was the least focused on point of discussion, the poem is still very accessible and east to read and follow. Neglect for children and questioning where we fit in is a familiar concept to most people. Whether directly experienced, heard about or saw (maybe in a movie or tv show) those are two ideas people can relate to. At TEAM we discussed this idea of “fitting” in or wanting someone to look out for you. In some ways this weeks poem was similar to “Only Cherries” by Kenneth Pathen, but less racially focused and the theme of being an outcast slightly shifted, the two works build upon one another and once again some interesting work was sprung from the discussion and prompt. I asked the students to write about things they don’t have but wish they did have and why those things matter to them.

Ms. Henley

Untitled by Darryl S.

I am black proud to be, but I’m in need. I don’t have a job to always have my own money in my pocket. I wish I had a better school so learning could be easier for me. I wish I had a car and my drivers permit so I can drive where ever I want. I wish I can win the lottery so I can lave Chicago and get myself a house. I wish I had a personal assistant to do everything for me and me not having to do anything. I wish I had a private jet with a private island so I can escape the col mess of the world.

Untitled by Treyvon S.

I wish I had them Jordan 6. I wish I had a new 12 piece drum set and more symbols. I wish I had more friends to talk to than these people I’m talking to now. I wish I had these things because they are what I wanted since Christmas.

Ms. Henley

Untitled by Aleara S.

She is short
and everybody seems to love her
the boy she seems to love appears
to love her
and everyone else around
wish it wasn’t that way though.

Ms. Payne

Untitled by Lakeisha V.

…years old, with a very smart mind,
I made lots of mistakes in my
previous time, my family and
friends have always been by my side,
no one knows what is really on my
mind, I had lots of dreams that
I plan to succeed, living in the
ghetto is a very hard thing, being
myself.