This post is a part of my ‘Poetry Appreciation’ segment wherein every once in a while I share a poem that I like. Today I’ve chosen Audre Lorde’s ‘Who said It Was Simple’.
About Audre Lorde: Audre Lorde (18 February 1934 – 17 November 1992) was an American writer, civil rights activist, feminist, womanist, and librarian. She described herself as “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet ” and dedicated her life to confronting the evils of racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and homophobia. Some of her works include – Sister Outsider, The Black Unicorn: Poems, and A Burst of Light: Essays.
About ‘Who Said It Was Simple’: ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ was published in a collection called From a Land Where Other People Live in 1973. The poem reflects the ideas of intersectional feminism by highlighting multi-faceted identities and the different kinds of discriminations that one may face because of them. it questions those who call themselves feminists and continue to oppress others, thereby highlighting the need for intersectionality within feminism.
Who Said It Was Simple
By: Audre Lorde
There are so many roots to the tree of anger
that sometimes the branches shatter
before they bear.
Sitting in Nedicks
the women rally before they march
discussing the problematic girls
they hire to make them free.
An almost white counterman passes
a waiting brother to serve them first
and the ladies neither notice nor reject
the slighter pleasures of their slavery.
But I who am bound by my mirror
as well as my bed
see causes in colour
as well as sex
and sit here wondering
which me will survive
all these liberations.
***
What do you think of the poem? And is there any poem that you would like to recommend?
Not So Random Ramblings 