Thirteen (Caleb Femi)

This section provides analysis for the poem Thirteen by Caleb Femi. Thirteen by Caleb Femi is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores the experience of a young Black boy being stopped by the police, highlighting themes of racial profiling, loss of innocence, and disillusionment. Through a personal and reflective narrative, the poem contrasts the promise of potential and greatness, symbolised by the metaphor of being a "supernova," with the harsh reality of being seen as a threat or suspect due to racial stereotyping. The poem uses vivid imagery, symbolism, and emotion to expose the tension between hope and fear in the boy's experience of growing up. You can read the poem below followed by detailed analysis.

Thirteen by Caleb Femi

You will be four minutes from home
when you are cornered by an officer
who will tell you of a robbery, forty
minutes ago in the area. You fit
the description of a man? – You’ll laugh.
Thirteen, you’ll tell him: you’re thirteen.

You’ll be patted on the shoulder, then, by another fed
whose face takes you back to Gloucester Primary School,
a Wednesday assembly about being little stars.
This same officer had an horizon in the east
of his smile when he told your class that
you were all supernovas,
the biggest and brightest stars.

You will show the warmth of your teeth
praying he remembers the heat of you supernova;
he will see you powerless – plump.
You will watch the two men cast lots for your organs.

Don’t you remember me? you will ask.
You gave a talk at my primary school.
While fear condenses on your lips,
you will remember that Wednesday, after the assembly,
your teacher speaking more about supernovas:
how they are, in fact, dying stars
on the verge of becoming black holes.

Analysis of Thirteen by Caleb Femi

Themes

Racial Profiling and Injustice: The poem captures the experience of being racially profiled by the police at a young age. The boy is stopped by officers despite being only thirteen, simply because he "fits the description" of a suspect. This highlights the injustice faced by Black youth, who are often perceived as threats or criminals because of their race, regardless of their age or innocence.

"You fit the description of a man? – You’ll laugh. Thirteen, you’ll tell him: you’re thirteen." This emphasises the absurdity of the situation, where a child is mistaken for a criminal simply based on racial bias.

Loss of Innocence: The poem shows the transition from childhood innocence to a harsh awareness of the realities of the world. The speaker recalls an officer who once visited his primary school to tell children they were all "supernovas" (symbols of greatness and potential). Now, however, the boy is confronted with the officer again, but in a completely different context, where he is treated with suspicion rather than admiration.

"This same officer had an horizon in the east of his smile when he told your class that you were all supernovas, the biggest and brightest stars." This reflects the loss of that youthful optimism and the disillusionment of realising how the world views him.

Disillusionment and Betrayal: The contrast between the officer’s previous words of encouragement and his current actions exposes a sense of betrayal. The boy’s trust in the system and in the adults who once nurtured his sense of self-worth is shattered. The metaphor of the "supernova" is revealed to be hollow, as the boy realises that being seen as a star only leads to destruction in this context.

"how they are, in fact, dying stars on the verge of becoming black holes." This line symbolises the boy’s realisation that the potential he was once told he had is not as hopeful as it seemed; instead, it foreshadows a future of being reduced to nothing by societal forces.

Fear and Powerlessness: The poem explores the powerlessness the boy feels in the face of authority. Despite his attempts to remind the officer of their previous connection, the boy is left vulnerable, fearful, and powerless, likened to a "plump" supernova on the verge of collapsing into a black hole. The fear condensing on his lips captures the physical manifestation of his anxiety and helplessness.

"You will watch the two men cast lots for your organs." This unsettling image conveys how the boy feels dehumanised and objectified by the officers, as if they are deciding his fate without considering his humanity.

Key Imagery and Symbols

The Supernova: The supernova is a central metaphor in the poem, symbolising both the boy’s potential and the tragic reality of being a young Black boy in a society that doesn’t truly see him. Initially, the supernova represents the idea that he and his peers are "the biggest and brightest stars," full of promise and hope. However, as the poem progresses, the supernova is revealed to be a dying star, suggesting that this potential is being extinguished by systemic racism and oppression.

"you were all supernovas" initially represents hope, but later transitions to a darker reality of collapse and destruction as the boy realises his vulnerability in society.

The Officer: The officer in the poem symbolises authority and the duality of societal roles. On one hand, he represents the figure of guidance and encouragement from the boy’s school days, but on the other hand, he now embodies the oppressive force of the law that racially profiles and disempowers the boy. This duality reflects the boy’s disillusionment as he navigates the harsh realities of growing up.

"Don’t you remember me? you will ask." This plea shows the boy’s desperation to be seen as more than just a stereotype or a suspect.

The Act of Being Stopped: The physical stopping of the boy by the police represents the broader societal forces that hinder and control the lives of young Black people. It also marks a moment of transition from innocence to experience, where the boy is forced to confront how he is perceived by the world.

"You fit the description of a man?" This line highlights the racial profiling that treats young Black boys as men, stripping them of their childhood and innocence.

"Casting Lots for Your Organs": This biblical allusion suggests that the officers treat the boy as a disposable object, dehumanising him. The phrase also evokes a sense of fate being determined by others, leaving the boy powerless in the face of authority.

"You will watch the two men cast lots for your organs." This chilling image reinforces the idea that the boy’s body and life are not valued, further reflecting his dehumanisation by the officers.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in the second person, which creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The use of "you" places the reader in the boy’s shoes, making the experience of being stopped by the police feel personal and universal. It also heightens the emotional impact of the poem, as the reader is drawn into the boy’s world.

The poem follows a narrative structure, taking the reader through a series of events: the boy is stopped by the police, recalls a school memory, and reflects on the disillusionment that follows. The structure reinforces the journey from innocence to experience.

The tone of the poem shifts from reflective and nostalgic to tense and fearful, mirroring the boy’s emotional progression as he moves from remembering his school days to confronting the reality of being racially profiled.

Tone

Reflective and Nostalgic: The poem begins with a sense of nostalgia as the boy recalls the officer’s visit to his primary school, where he and his classmates were encouraged to believe in their potential as "supernovas." This tone quickly shifts, however, as the present-day situation of being stopped by the police unfolds.

Tense and Fearful: As the poem progresses, the tone becomes more fearful and tense. The boy’s plea to be remembered by the officer highlights his vulnerability and desperation, while the imagery of "casting lots for your organs" creates a chilling sense of dehumanisation.

Disillusioned: By the end of the poem, the boy’s disillusionment is clear. The realisation that supernovas are dying stars reflects the loss of hope and innocence, as the boy comes to terms with the harsh realities of being young and Black in a racially unjust society.

Key Quotations for Analysis

"Thirteen, you’ll tell him: you’re thirteen."

This line emphasises the boy’s youth and innocence, contrasting sharply with the officers’ suspicion. It highlights the absurdity and injustice of racial profiling when a child is treated like a criminal.

"you were all supernovas, the biggest and brightest stars."

This metaphor represents the potential and hope given to the children by the officer, which is later undercut by the revelation that supernovas are dying stars. It symbolises the boy’s disillusionment and loss of innocence.

"You will watch the two men cast lots for your organs."

This disturbing image reflects the boy’s feeling of powerlessness and dehumanisation. The officers’ treatment of him as if he is an object to be divided up highlights the racial injustice and fear he experiences.

"While fear condenses on your lips."

The physical manifestation of fear here conveys the intense pressure and anxiety the boy feels in this moment. It suggests that his fear is palpable and uncontrollable, a result of the power imbalance between him and the officers.

Context

Caleb Femi is a British-Nigerian poet, writer, and filmmaker who often explores themes of race, identity, and social justice in his work. Thirteen reflects the lived experiences of young Black boys growing up in a society where they are often subject to racial profiling and police scrutiny. Femi’s work frequently delves into the complexities of growing up in London as a Black youth, highlighting the tension between potential and the limitations imposed by societal prejudice.

Thirteen by Caleb Femi is a powerful exploration of the themes of racial profiling, innocence, and disillusionment. Through the metaphor of the supernova, Femi illustrates the painful transition from childhood optimism to the harsh realities of systemic racism. The poem's structure, tone, and vivid imagery create a compelling narrative that invites readers to reflect on the experiences of young Black boys and the injustices they face in society. It is a poignant reminder of how quickly innocence can be shattered and how deeply the impact of racial prejudice is felt.

You can find analysis of all the AQA Worlds and Lives Anthology Poems here.