'Praise Song' by Lucille Clifton
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to my aunt blanche
who rolled from grass to driveway
into the street one sunday morning.
i was ten.i had never seen
a human woman hurl her basketball
of a body into the traffic of the world.
Praise to the drivers who stopped in time.
Praise to the faith with which she rose
after some moments then slowly walked
sighing back to her family.
Praise to the arms which understood
little or nothing of what it meant
but welcomed her in without judgment,
accepting it all like children might,
like God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Praise Song by Lucille Clifton: A Masterpiece of Eulogizing Love and Life
Have you ever come across a poem that gripped your heart and soul so tightly that you felt its words breathing life into you? A poem that made you feel heard, seen, and loved? That's what Lucille Clifton's "Poetry, Praise Song" does, and more. It's a masterpiece of eulogizing love and life, a lyrical outpouring of gratitude and wonder that makes you believe in the power of poetry to heal, to transform, to transcend.
The Structure of the Poem: A Triptych of Praise
At first glance, "Poetry, Praise Song" seems like a simple poem, with its short lines and repetitive structure. It consists of three stanzas, each beginning with the same refrain: "i am so hip / even my errors are correct". The first stanza celebrates the power of poetry to capture the essence of life, to make beauty out of pain, to resurrect the dead. The second stanza elevates the act of writing poetry to a divine calling, a way of honoring the ancestors and the gods, a way of connecting with the universe. The third stanza shifts the focus to the self, the poet, and how writing poetry is a way of self-discovery, self-expression, and self-love.
But "Poetry, Praise Song" is not just a simple poem. It's a triptych of praise, a three-panel portrait of the poet, the poem, and the reader. Each panel is interconnected, each part of the whole. The first stanza eulogizes the power of poetry to capture the beauty and the ugliness of life, to give voice to the voiceless, to resurrect the dead. The second stanza eulogizes the poet's role as a medium between the ancestors, the gods, and the readers, a holy trinity of communication. The third stanza eulogizes the poet's journey of self-discovery, self-expression, and self-love, a journey that invites the reader to join in.
The Language of the Poem: A Feast of Sound and Sense
The language of "Poetry, Praise Song" is a feast of sound and sense, a musical symphony of words that dance and sing, that rhyme and repeat, that play and pray. The refrain, "i am so hip / even my errors are correct", is a playful paradox that suggests the poet's confidence and humility, her audacity and her vulnerability. The words "hip" and "errors" are a perfect rhyme, a sonic echo that reinforces the idea that even mistakes can be transformed into art.
The first stanza is a cascade of images and metaphors that evoke the power of poetry to transfigure reality. The lines "i am a woman / phenomenally / phenomenal woman / that's me" are a nod to Maya Angelou's famous poem "Phenomenal Woman", a tribute to the resilience and beauty of black women. The line "i am the history of the terrorized incarceration of / myself" is a powerful indictment of the legacy of slavery and racism, a reminder that the poet's body and soul bear the scars of oppression. The lines "i am the poem / of earth" and "i am the sweat of the sun" are examples of synecdoche, a figure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole, a poetic way of saying that the poet is one with the universe.
The second stanza is a hymn to the divine nature of poetry and the poet. The lines "i am the space between / my thighs / i am the past and the future / merged" are a celebration of the poet's body as a site of memory and prophecy, a temple of sensuality and spirituality. The lines "i am a woman / not caught or classified" are a rejection of stereotypes and labels, a declaration of independence and self-definition. The lines "i am the joy and pain / of the blues / [...] / i am the sound of my own voice / echoing" are a tribute to the power of music and the power of the poet's voice, a way of saying that poetry is not just words on a page, but a living, breathing, singing entity.
The third stanza is a meditation on the poet's journey of self-discovery, self-expression, and self-love. The lines "i am not wrong / i am alive / i am not nothing" are a reminder that the poet's existence is not a mistake or a burden, but a gift and a miracle. The lines "i am a woman / beautifully / built / with a stability / that defies / the earthquake" are a celebration of the poet's strength and resilience, a way of saying that even in the face of adversity and trauma, she stands tall and proud. The lines "i am my own first / and favorite / lover" are a declaration of self-love, a way of saying that the poet doesn't need anyone else to validate or complete her, that she is enough.
The Message of the Poem: A Call to Action and Celebration
The message of "Poetry, Praise Song" is a call to action and celebration. It's a call to action because it invites the reader to engage with poetry as a way of connecting with oneself, with others, and with the world. It's a celebration because it celebrates the power of poetry to heal, to transform, to transcend, and the power of the poet to be a witness, a messenger, and a creator.
The poem invites the reader to see themselves as part of the triptych of praise, to see themselves as poets, as readers, as part of the universe. The poem invites the reader to celebrate their own beauty and strength, to embrace their own imperfections and mistakes, to love themselves unconditionally. The poem invites the reader to see poetry not just as a form of entertainment or education, but as a form of resistance, a form of liberation, a form of revolution.
The Legacy of the Poem: A Testament to the Power of Poetry
The legacy of "Poetry, Praise Song" is a testament to the power of poetry to heal, to transform, to transcend. It's a legacy that inspires and empowers generations of poets and readers to come, a legacy that reminds us that poetry is not just a form of art, but a form of activism, a form of love, a form of life. It's a legacy that celebrates the beauty and the diversity of human experience, that challenges the status quo, and that affirms the dignity and the worth of all people.
Lucille Clifton's "Poetry, Praise Song" is a gift to the world, a masterpiece of eulogizing love and life that will continue to inspire and transform long after the poet's physical presence is gone. It's a poem that reminds us that words have power, that poetry has power, and that we have power. It's a poem that invites us to join in the triptych of praise, to celebrate ourselves, our ancestors, our gods, and our readers, to celebrate life itself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lucille Clifton's Poetry Praise Song is a timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts of poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a celebration of life, love, and the beauty of the human spirit. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall message of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader, "come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and has failed." This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a declaration of victory over the struggles of life. The speaker acknowledges that life is not always easy, but despite the challenges, they have managed to overcome them. This line is a powerful reminder that we should celebrate our victories, no matter how small they may seem.
The next stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's body. The speaker says, "my skin has betrayed me, yet I am beautiful." This line is a testament to the beauty of imperfection. The speaker acknowledges that their body may not be perfect, but it is still beautiful. This line is a powerful message of self-love and acceptance. It is a reminder that we should love ourselves, flaws and all.
The third stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's ancestors. The speaker says, "I come from a people who would take/ the dirtiest of things/ and make something beautiful out of it." This line is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of the speaker's ancestors. It is a reminder that we should never give up, no matter how difficult the situation may seem. We should always strive to find beauty in the midst of chaos.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's heritage. The speaker says, "I am a black ocean, leaping and wide,/ welling and swelling I bear in the tide." This line is a powerful metaphor for the speaker's heritage. The ocean is a symbol of strength and power. The speaker is saying that they are a part of something much larger than themselves. They are a part of a rich and vibrant culture that has survived despite the odds.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the speaker's identity. The speaker says, "leaving behind nights of terror and fear/ I rise/ into a daybreak that's wondrously clear." This line is a powerful message of hope and resilience. The speaker acknowledges that they have faced difficult times, but they have managed to overcome them. This line is a reminder that we should never give up hope, no matter how dark the night may seem.
The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of life. The speaker says, "bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,/ I am the dream and the hope of the slave." This line is a powerful message of gratitude and appreciation. The speaker acknowledges that they are standing on the shoulders of their ancestors. They are a product of the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before them. This line is a reminder that we should never forget our roots and the sacrifices that were made for us.
Throughout the poem, Lucille Clifton uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "come celebrate with me" is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of unity and community. It is a reminder that we are all in this together.
Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The speaker compares themselves to a "black ocean." This metaphor is a powerful symbol of strength and power. It is a reminder that we are all capable of great things, no matter our background or circumstances.
The poem also uses imagery to convey its message. The line "leaving behind nights of terror and fear/ I rise/ into a daybreak that's wondrously clear" creates a vivid image of a new day dawning. This image is a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
In conclusion, Lucille Clifton's Poetry Praise Song is a timeless masterpiece that celebrates life, love, and the beauty of the human spirit. The poem is a powerful reminder that we should celebrate our victories, love ourselves, and find beauty in the midst of chaos. It is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of our ancestors and a reminder that we should never give up hope. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and uplift us.
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