10. ECHOES

In Audre Lorde’s “Echoes” she uses a lot of figurative language throughout the poetry. Like many poems the use of figurative language in laced throughout “Echoes.” Being Part of the Black Arts Movement, Lorde uses a lot of imagery, the use of the five main senses, throughout the poem. Lorde’s also uses unique spacing throughout the poem to create a pause for the reader. She starts the poem with “There is a timbre of voice tht come from not being heard” (line 1-2). Within the first stanza Lorde means that the voice is identifiable though it’s never been heard, an interesting contradiction that has depth. Since this “voice” hasn’t been heard it’s unique, unheard, becoming identifiable. Then she continues saying that your not heard because of the voice, but simply noticed because of the unique sound, and what is being said is still not heard. She uses this to create an idea and her meaning of sound.

In the second stanza Lorde uses a lot of descriptive words and adjectives and more figurative language. I feel she uses a particular metaphor in her poem for the climax. “Till after you’re gone your hot grain smell tattooed into each new poem” (line 14-16). She is saying that even the person is gone, that they will forever leave a permanent linger throughout the future to come. The hot grain smell she refers to is the lasting sense that cannot be forgotten. The smell tattooed, a permanent mark that leaves a lasting impression. The future is each new poem that hasn’t been written yet. I feel this is bold metaphor that strikes the reader. She follows that metaphor with “resonant beyond escape” (line 16-17), the echoes that one cannot escape. I feel this really affects the meaning of the poem, the power Lorde’s is trying to convey. This is a strong metaphor that the poem builds up to. This is more than a meaning; it is an example of the meaning in action. I feel that by using this metaphor in that particular placement that Lorde’s develops a powerful tone that is set for the rest of the poem.