Read the poem below and answer the question that follows.

“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.

Source: Lorde, Audre. “Hanging Fire.” The Black Unicorn: Poems. New York: Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, 1978. El Camino College. Web. 06 June 2011.

Which poetic techniques are illustrated in the opening lines “I am fourteen/and my skin has betrayed me/the boy I cannot live without/still sucks his thumb/in secret”?

A. alliteration and metaphor

B. allusion and alliteration

C. apostrophe and simile

D. personification and enjambment

In poetry, there are different techniques poets usually use for stylistic purposes this includes the rhyme, the onomatopoeia, the alliteration, the simile, the personification, among others. In the case of personification, this technique occurs when objects, plants, animals or entities that are not humans are given human features or are represented as people. In the verses from the poem "Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde this can be seen in "and my skin has betrayed me" because the skin is an inanimate object that has been given the action of betrayal which is somehow exclusive from people.

On the other hand, enjambment which is another poetry technique occurs when the verses do not end at the end of a complete idea, which means in poems with enjambement one idea is developed through multiple verses. This device can also be found in the poem by Audre Lorde as the idea "I am fourteen/and my skin has betrayed me" is divided into verses and the idea "the boy I cannot live without/still sucks his thumb/in secret" is divided into three verses. Therefore, in this poem, the techniques illustrated are personification and enjambement.