Poet Lucille Clifton Dies at Age 73

Purple Feb 15, 2010 4 Comments

“homage to my hips”

these hips are big hips
they need space to
move around in.
they don’t fit into little
petty places. these hips
are free hips.
they don’t like to be held back.
these hips have never been enslaved,
they go where they want to go
they do what they want to do.
these hips are mighty hips.
these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top!

*This is one of my favorite poems. Ms. Clifton. I have yet to develop an opinion on her last book of poetry, “Voices”. But she left many great works before her death.

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Art, R.I.P.

4 Comments

davids

about 15 years ago 

One of my favorite poems, too. Sad to hear she has died. Thanks for posting, purple.

Purple

about 15 years ago 

Thanks, David. She lost her battle with cancer on Saturday. She's a talent that will be missed, but she left behind many great works.

Calk

about 15 years ago 

She was a fabulous poet and I love the poem you posted, Purple!

Liz

about 15 years ago 

Saw her read & speak at the Hubert Humphrey Institute on the U of M campus in April of 2008.  Alexs Pate hosted the reading series and Mrs. Clifton read just beautifully as expected.  She held a question and answer session afterwords and signed books in the lobby.  It was good to go see her.  Sorry to hear she has died.  The above is a great, fun poem.  "One Woman" is great book if anybody has read or gets the chance to read.

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