Repetition

There is only one phrase in "Hanging Fire" that repeats, and it's "and momma's in the bedroom / with the door closed." The repetition of this line emphasizes our speaker's loneliness and isolation from her mother. The first time Lorde writes it, it's sad; by the third time, it's downright heartbreaking. Our speaker's got all kinds of fears and anxieties, and the repetition of this a refrain makes us feel that maybe, just maybe, the speaker's mother could help alleviate them.

• Lines 10-11: The first appearance of this phrase is sad; we feel like our speaker could use some maternal wisdom when it comes to issues of ashy knees and boys. But her mom's separated from her by that bedroom door.
• Lines 22-23: The second time that this phrase appears, we are really starting to feel for our speaker. She's not just worried about boys and braces; she's really fretting over death. It sure sounds like someone could really use a hug from mom. 
• Lines 34-35: The final time that this phrase appears, we are downright mad at our speaker's mother. Why won't she open her door and talk to her daughter? What is going on in that bedroom? Can't she see her daughter is lonely and anxious? Open that door, momma, we want to cry out!