Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Audre Lorde's "Bloodbirth," written in 1961, opens a multifaceted dialogue about identity, creation, and self-expression, resonating with the tumultuous ethos of its era. This was a period marked by the Civil Rights Movement and burgeoning feminist ideals, and Lorde, a voice from both those intersections, grapples with the complexities of defining oneself in a time of immense societal shifts.

The poem begins with a portrayal of intense, almost violent, internal restlessness: "That which is inside me / screaming / beating about for exit or entry." The imagery suggests that the speaker is engaged in a struggle for self-expression or self-actualization. This inner turbulence is neither distinctly negative nor positive; it could either be "child or demon." The ambiguity allows the reader to engage with the universality of the sentiment, making it applicable to various kinds of birth: physical, emotional, or intellectual.

Lorde then presents us with a sequence of thought-provoking questions that contribute to the existential ambience of the poem. "Is this birth or exorcism / or the beginning machineries of self?" Here, the concept of 'birth' is made manifold; it can be the literal birth of a child or the metaphorical birth of the self, ideas, or even demons. The "beginning machineries of self" suggest the internal processes that shape our self-concept, alluding to a factory-like mechanism churning out different facets of our identity.

Then the poem takes a turn towards ancestry, mentioning "my father's business," tying back to the theme of inheritance and questioning what one is bound to "be about." It introduces the concept of lineage and highlights how family ties shape individual destiny, either as a guide or perhaps even as a burden.

Following the pondering about the family legacy, the poem shifts its gaze towards the future, encapsulating the cyclical nature of existence through the lines "My children, your children / their children / all bent / on our conjugating business." This subtle transition from contemplating the past and what has been inherited to considering the future and what will be passed on, adds another layer of complexity to the poem. It reflects the continuous struggle between what has been imbibed from the past and what will be imparted to the future, echoing the continual processes of birth and rebirth.

Towards the end of the poem, Lorde hints at the prospect of facing judgment or prejudice, indicated by "Shall I split or be cut down / by a word's complexion / or its lack." Here, 'complexion' serves as a subtle but powerful nod to race, reminding us that the speaker is navigating a world where not only her internal struggles but also her external identity may be a point of conflict.

In "Bloodbirth," Audre Lorde explores the deeply intertwined processes of self-discovery and creation. Through her evocative language and poignant questions, she speaks to the universal human experience of trying to define oneself amidst external and internal chaos. Yet, she also imbues it with her specific social context, touching on themes of race, gender, and generational legacies. The result is a poem that challenges and questions, leaving the reader to ponder the machineries of their own selves and what they are "about," drawing them into the eternal cycles of introspection and outward expression.

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