Imagine The Angels Of Bread Poetic Devices

The world can only be full of hope, love, joy and redemption for certain people. Minorities constantly struggle to obtain certain rights and lack encouragement to take a stance. Though the world has shifted and developed in this day, several injustices have come to light. Poetry is one of many ways to document the world and common experiences and to say what needs to be said in a direct and powerful way. Poems give urgency yet are interesting at the same time. It captures the reader’s attention and makes them think beyond. Little things in poetry matter. The language, structure, and poetic devices can have a deeper purpose and message. It can be used to confront injustices in a way that will attract readers. It helps injustices to be unforgettable.

Audre Lorde’s “Power” and Martin Espada’s “Imagine the Angels of Bread” most powerfully use figurative language to persuade others to fight against injustices.
“Power” is about the injustices that black people suffer due to white supremacy. The injustice can be seen in the following: ‘And a voice said “Die you little motherfucker” and/ there are tapes to prove it. At his trial/ this policeman said in his own defense/ ‘I didn’t notice the size nor nothing else only the color’”(Lines 23-27). This line in the poem demonstrates the injustice towards not only minorities but also the corruption in government. Lorde establishes a hostile and angry tone within the poem by using the word “motherfucker”, which refers back to the 10 year old. The fact that a child was called such a negative word helps show the hatred within the world. An innocent child isn't suppose to be called a “motherfucker” and it also helps show that the police officer doesn't regret taking away a life. The phrase “there are tapes to prove it” shows that there's blinding injustice. Despite the evidence that is present to indict the officer of wrongdoing, he's considered as innocent. The fact that the police officer didn't notice or care about the “size” but just the “color” of the child helps demonstrate that one who has a different skin color other than white can be easily murdered, which is allowed by the government. To know that a man got away with such a cruel crime and the use of a 10 year old as a victim helps create sympathy to encourage readers to act against these injustices. Lorde uses graphic and dramatic imagery by including the actual spoken words from the officer to capture the raw emotional feeling of a loss to ignorance. It also shows how disturbing and surreal these situations are. It causes the reader to feel frightened at the fact that certain people have the ability to kill innocents, including children and get away with it. Another example is when Lorde states, “raping an 85 year old white woman/ who is somebody’s mother/ and as I beat her senseless and set a torch to her bed/ a greek chorus will be singing in ¾ time” (Lines 51-54). The poet includes the monstrous act of raping because raping is not about sex- it is an act of power by the rapist. This act connects back to the title, “Power”. The “85 year old white woman” is defenseless of her own body and doesn't have that “white power” to put a stop to it. Lorde specifically chooses an 85 year old white woman as a victim because it causes the reader to feel sympathy since an old person is viewed as innocent and delicate. The strong and powerful imagery of “greek chorus” demonstrates how people only care or are interested when a white person is a victim. The world gives so much valuable attention yet when a black 10 year old gets killed by a white police officer nothing is done. This shows the injustice and how race is dominant in the world. It shows the cruelty, which makes the readers realize that these problems and injustices are real and that they actually happen. Also, because there's no period, enjambment, to signify that the sentence has a stop, the continuation of the sentence symbolizes the continuation of the injustice, which helps demonstrate that these types of situations will keep occurring and live on forever unless people begin to take charge to end this.
There is also injustice towards minorities shown in “Imagine the Angels of Bread” by Martin Espada.

Espada states, “This is the year that those/ who swim the border’s undertow/ and shiver in the boxcars/ are greeted with trumpets and drums” (Lines 22-25). Espada uses an anaphora of “This is the year” throughout the poem. By this phrase, Espada is giving out hope and is looking towards the future. Because this poem is about the future, this means that it’s not happening currently and is acquired as a goal. The words “trumpets and drums” show how immigrants are being celebrated and are actually accepted. The celebration of immigrants coming into the U.S is only a fantasy and not a reality. Immigrants are treated the exact opposite. They’re abused and mistreated. Espada used a hopeful and sanguineous tone to show that it is possible to have a world that acknowledges minorities. This “dream” world can actually come true with the help of others. The injustice can also be seen in the following: “Pilgrimage of immigrant birth; this is the year that cockroaches/ become extinct, that no doctor/ finds a roach embedded/ in an ear of an infant” (Lines 38-41). This line is a metaphor. “Cockroaches” are unwanted, dirty, and disgusting insects which help symbolize all the discriminatory beliefs that are told to children. The poet explains that as immigrant children are growing up, they’re being told ideas and beliefs that lower the reputation of the class, race, and minority, which they are a part of. As they grow up, they follow through with the beliefs which ultimately causes the children to become these stereotypes that they’ve been told. When Espada mentions the “cockroaches” becoming extinct, he is explaining that the discriminatory ideas will be diminished. The children will no longer be endangered by the beliefs and ideas of the dominant races. Espada includes the metaphor by using the cockroaches because it has a strong negative connotation. It helps people realize how

dangerous these discriminatory belief are and how much they can affect the world negatively. It motivates people to discontinue certain beliefs and ideas. These immigrant children should have an opportunity in life and shouldn't be discouraged by others who believe that they’re superior.
In order to persuade others to fight against injustices, Audre Lorde’s “Power” and Martin Espada’s “Imagine the Angels of Bread” uses figurative language. Injustices toward minorities are still present today. Currently, there’s an abundance of discrimination. Though these poem were written a while back, they’re still relevant in today’s world. The world hasn’t changed. Certain people believe that they’re better than others out of ignorance. The fact that it’s 2016 and people still believe that in order to be superior, the color of your skin must be white is ridiculous. These type of people are even encouraged. Donald Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, has made obnoxious and horrendous accusations towards every possible race expect Caucasian. He has accused Latinos in being rapists and bringing drugs as well as crime into America. Trump supporters are ignorant to realize that everyone is a human being. I think it’s sad that there’s actual people who think this way.