1. Displacement: The poem opens with the line "My face is a map of absences," suggesting a fragmented and dislocated sense of self. The speaker's identity is not centered or fully formed but rather a product of the spaces and experiences she is excluded from.
2. Loss of Identity: Serotte uses imagery related to erasure, such as "unlit rooms," "shadows," and "invisible rooms," to depict how the speaker's identity has been obscured and denied. The use of the pronoun "it" to describe her face further reinforces the sense of detachment.
3. Invisible Histories: The poem also highlights the erasure of collective history and experience faced by marginalized communities. Serotte writes, "I have moved through centuries, nameless and lost," highlighting the anonymity and historical neglect experienced by black individuals under oppressive systems.
4. Seeking Recognition: Despite the obstacles and marginalized status, the speaker expresses a desire for recognition and validation. She yearns for a space where her presence is acknowledged and her true identity is revealed.
5. Empowerment through Solidarity: The poem ends on a hopeful note with the line, "You know this face as your own." This suggests a potential for unity and identification between the speaker and others who share similar experiences of alienation and marginalization.
Overall, "My Face" captures the complexities of negotiating personal and collective identity in the face of oppression. Serotte's evocative imagery and emotive language highlight the speaker's struggle to assert her existence and be recognized within a society that seeks to erase her identity.