Name_________________________
Poetry Notebook Assignment #2
Responses should be completed in your notebook. Make sure you turn in your notebook with the
annotated poem on the backside of this paper together.
1. There is a genre of poetry known as “free verse”. Write down what you think free verse
poetry might be.
2. Read the poem “Hanging Fire” by Audrey Lorde. Mark up your copy of the poem (while
you read) using the symbols learned in the previous lesson (*- cool line, !- important line,
?- confusing line).
3. After marking responses to the poem, share and talk about your reactions before digging
deeper into a rereading and analysis of the poem. Discuss your responses to the following
questions:
 Who is speaking in the poem?
 What do you think this poem is about?
 What is the speaker worried about?
 Why does the poet repeat “and momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed?”
 What do you think you know about the poet after reading this poem? What specifically in
the poem reveals their character/emotions/fears?
 Do you ever feel like the writer of this poem?
 Is there conflict in this poem? Is it internal or external? How do we know?
4. What is the structure of this poem (I’ll give you some help with this one, but make a
guess)?
5. Reread and annotate the text by writing your thoughts while reading. The thoughts should
be written right next to the text that you are thinking about. Think about what you are
reading – what questions come to mind? What confuses you? What conclusions are you
drawing? What are you feeling? What do you imagine/see as you read the
word/line/poem/?
6. Go back up to number 3 discussion questions. Record your responses to these questions
in your notebook now that you’ve had time to discuss and think about them some more.
Be sure to respond in complete sentences.
7. Your Turn! Try writing a poem in free verse that begins with the same lines of the poem
“I am fourteen” (use your own age).
Hanging Fire
by Audre Lorde
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 the morning comes
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.