“She Who Knows No Boundaries” by LaTiefa Alston

“She Who Knows No Boundaries” by LaTiefa Alston, is a poem about a young lady celebrating the good and the bad of her life. This is made clear by repetition of “I” throughout the poem and by La Tiefa using an assertive, strong tone to describe the persona’s feelings and perceptions;

“I was raised by a…”
“I was born into a …”
“I have grown to be…”
“I live by the rules of…”

The repetition of “I” affirms that the persona is trying to make a clear statement of her life, conveying her personal boundaries, one being her moral limitations; “I live by the rules of…” Her moral boundaries are the foundation of her personality, perspective and opinion on life, expressed throughout the poem in a personal and subjective style.

Racial boundaries are apparent when the persona expresses the saddening truth of how she was discriminated against at school;

“Went to school where the students and teachers feared my “angry Black” presence”

This type of boundary is not only highlighting the fact that racial prejudice is an issue in America, but it is also relating to the persona’s emotional boundaries in the sense that being treated in such an unjust manner is quite upsetting and infuriating, causing her “angry black” presence.

Spiritual boundaries are also stated by the persona;

“With a spiritual base,
Who isn’t quite religious,
But won’t forget who’s in control.”

Being grown and raised by a religious “I marched on Washington and take nothing from no one” type of woman, the persona feels that she too “won’t forget who is in control.” This expresses spiritual boundaries, as it is conveying the persona’s perception on how she stands in the world. Her outlook on life is the spiritual base of her moral boundaries, caused from growing up being taught the rule of “Remembering who I am and what I represent.”

It is from these boundaries, ideas and the persona’s viewpoint of her place in the world that have caused her to grow into “A forthright, dedicated individual who knows NO BOUNDARIES!!!” La Tiefa has chosen this forceful ending to emphasize the persona’s personal and family inflicted boundaries that make her the way she is.