Thirteen

By Caleb Femi (b. 1990)

Context

• Caleb Femi was born in Nigeria and moved to England at the age of 7, growing up on the North Peckham estate in South London—a place known for both its challenges and its creativity. The estate was infamous for the tragic death of Damilola Taylor in 2000, and later became a focus during the 2011 riots. Despite these hardships, Peckham has also been a hub for artistic expression, which Femi celebrates in his work. Femi's poetry, including his collection Poor, often reflects on the experiences of young black boys growing up in similar environments. "Thirteen" addresses the transition from childhood innocence to the harsh realities faced by black teenagers, exploring themes of prejudice, lost potential, and societal conflict.

The Poem

Thirteen

Your horizon was in the east of the smile

on the officer's face; your teacher

said you were going to be a bright star.

The dust in your lungs makes stars from particles

← Metaphor

and you feel a supernova rising.

But we know supernovas are dying stars.

← Metaphor and irony

You will be stopped.

They will empty your pockets, your backpack.

They will ask you about your purpose.

What do you know about yourself?

Your skin becomes a target, an accusation.

← Metaphor

You are no longer a bright star.

← Repitition and contrast

You are something they want to erase.

But even a black hole has power, to consume

and to remain unseen.

You will be thirteen, forever.

← Hyperbole and symbolism

5 Quotes + Analysis to Achieve a Grade 9

1. Language device = Metaphor. "The dust in your lungs makes stars from particles" Analysis: The "dust in your lungs" metaphorically represents hardship or adversity, while the "stars from particles" suggest that even in difficult circumstances, something beautiful or meaningful can emerge. This metaphor may indicate that despite the challenges or struggles the boy faces, there is still potential for greatness or brilliance, similarly to stars forming from dust.

2. Language device = Metaphor and irony. "But we know supernovas are dying stars" Analysis: The metaphor of a "supernova" rising suggests a moment of brilliance and potential. However, the line "dying stars" introduces a dark irony, as it foreshadows the boy's future—his potential is acknowledged, but it's also destined to be cut short by societal prejudices. Just like a supernova is a moment of brilliance but also signifies the end of a star's life. This line highlights the tension between youthful promise and the harsh realities that can destroy it.

3. Language device = Metaphor. "Your skin becomes a target, an accusation" Analysis: The comparison of the boy's skin to a "target" and an "accusation" powerfully conveys how his identity has shifted from one of promise to one of suspicion and danger. This metaphor reflects the prejudice and racial profiling that young black boys often face, where their very existence is criminalised and questioned. The imagery of skin as a "target" evokes the sense of being hunted or attacked, highlighting the vulnerability and injustice the boy experiences simply because of his race. This line confronts the reader with the harsh realities of racial profiling and its damaging impact on young lives.

4. Language device = Repetition and contrast. "You are no longer a bright star" Analysis: The repetition of the "bright star" imagery, now in the negative, marks the moment when the boy's potential is overshadowed by societal judgment. This shift in perception reflects the loss of innocence and the weight of external expectations. This quote conveys a sense of disappointment and inevitability, as the promise of youth is replaced by the harsh reality of discrimination.

5. Language device = Hyperbole and symbolism. "You will be thirteen, forever." Analysis: The phrase "thirteen, forever" exaggerates the notion that the boy is permanently trapped at this stage of life. It emphasises the idea that he will never have the opportunity to grow, progress, or fulfil his potential due to societal barriers. Being "forever" thirteen also carries a deeper significance by linking to the concept of 'unlucky number 13'. In various cultures, the number 13 is considered a symbol of misfortune or bad luck. By stating that the boy will be "thirteen, forever," the poem not only highlights his perpetual state of vulnerability but also connects it to the idea of being trapped in an unlucky, disadvantaged position.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Second-Person Address:
  • The poem is written in the second person, directly addressing the reader as "you." This technique creates a sense of immediacy and personal involvement, making the reader feel the weight of the experiences described.
• Future Tense:
  • The use of future tense at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of inevitability, suggesting that the events described are not just possible but certain. This reinforces the idea that prejudice and societal expectations trap young black boys in a predetermined path.
• Italics:
  • The use of italics in the poem, such as in "Your horizon was in the east," highlights key moments of reflection or significant shifts in tone. Italics draw attention to the contrast between the boy's early promise and the reality he faces, emphasising the poem's message about the loss of hope.
• Extended Metaphor:
  • The recurring metaphor of stars and supernovas throughout the poem reflects the boy's potential and the tragic irony that this potential is doomed to fade. The development of this metaphor ties the poem's imagery to the broader theme of lost innocence.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Thirteen," Femi explores the theme of lost potential through the transition from childhood innocence to the harsh realities of growing up black in a prejudiced society. The line "Your horizon was in the east of the smile / on the officer's face" suggests an early promise of a bright future, but this is quickly undercut by the line "But we know supernovas are dying stars," which foreshadows the boy's fate. The use of the second person makes the reader feel directly addressed and involved, heightening the impact of the poem's message about the inevitability of lost potential due to societal prejudice. This contrasts with…