Friday, February 26, 2010

Lucille Clifton

Lucille Clifton died. This poem made a huge impression on me in my twenties as I found my way through things, as I'm sure it did for many people. Opened my mind (that is the right phrase here). And that top thing is for real.

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!

no way

One of the shittier names I've seen for a diet product (it's showing up on late-night informercial rotation here). Reminds me a little of the days of the AYDS chewable diet candies.