Hanging Fire

In the refrain “and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed” (Lines 10-11, 22-23, 34-35), the bedroom door is a symbol of both the physical and emotional distance between the speaker and her mother.

This symbol is central to the poem and has several aspects. The door symbolizes the colorism of the speaker’s mother—it is a barrier that was created by prejudice about skin color, physically segregating the family space. The door also symbolizes emotional unavailability and neglect: Although the speaker is wrestling with many fears and insecurities about her life and changing body, she does not feel able to approach her mother with her concerns. The door is thus also an emotional barrier that excludes the speaker from receiving positive maternal connection and support. The closed door may also suggest that the speaker feels pressured into stepping into a more independent and adult role than she feels ready for: She says there is “too much / that has to be done” (Lines 20-21), which could be due to her mother hiding in her room rather than taking care of familial and household issues.