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Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Searching... Author: CLIFTON, LUCILLE Matches Found: 613 Clifton, Lucille Poet's Biography 613 poems available by this author 1. AT GETTYSBURG First Line: If, as they say, this is somehow about myself 1. AT JONESTOWN First Line: On a day when I would have believed 1. AT NAGASAKI First Line: In their own order 11/10 AGAIN Poem Text First Line: Some say the radiance around the body Last Line: Encasing your human heart. Subject(s): Humanity; Spiritual Life 1994 First Line: I was leaving my fifty-eighth year Last Line: From your own shivering life Subject(s): Affliction; Breasts; Cancer, Breast; Women 1ST First Line: What I remember about that day Last Line: Nothing about the emptied rooms %nothing about the emptied family Variant Title(s): Evictio Subject(s): Children; Emptiness; Memory 20-JUN First Line: I will be born in one week %to a frowned forehead of a woman Last Line: In one week I will emerge face first %into their temporary joy Subject(s): Children; Parents 4 DAUGHTERS First Line: I am the sieve she strains from 4/40/92; FOR RODNEY KING First Line: So %the body Last Line: Why should we save %the pictures Subject(s): King, Rodney (b. 1966) 70'S First Line: Will be the days Last Line: Having lost some %begun much Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women A DREAM OF FOXES Poem Text First Line: In the dream of foxes Last Line: Safe through the generous fields Subject(s): Dreams; Foxes; Nightmares A SONG OF MARY Poem Text First Line: Somewhere it being yesterday Last Line: I smiling an ordinary smile Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary A STORY FOR EDGAR Recitation by Author A VISIT TO GETTYSBURG First Line: I will / touch stone Subject(s): American Civil War; Blood; Gettysburg Campaign (1863); United States - History; War; Gettysburg, Battle Of ADAM AND EVE First Line: The names %of the things Last Line: My body opens %into brothers Subject(s): Adam And Eve; Bible; Religion ADAM THINKING First Line: She %stolen from my bone Last Line: This creation is so fierce %I would rather have been born ADMONITIONS Poem Text First Line: Boys / I don't promise you nothing Last Line: She don't have no sense Subject(s): African Americans - Women ADMONITIONS First Line: Boys %I don't promise you nothing Last Line: She is a poet %she don't have no sense Subject(s): African Americans - Women AFRICA Poem Text First Line: Home / oh Last Line: All of my bones / remember Subject(s): Africa; African Americans; Home; Memory; Negroes; American Blacks AFRICA First Line: Home %oh Last Line: All of my bones %remember Subject(s): Africa; African Americans; Home; Memory AFTER KENT STATE Poem Text First Line: Only to keep / his little fear Last Line: Black / and live Subject(s): Kent State University - Riot, 1970 AFTER KENT STATE First Line: Only to keep %his little fear Last Line: Black %and live Subject(s): Kent State University - Riot, 1970 AFTER OZ Poem Text Last Line: Deeper and deeper / asleep Subject(s): Black (color); Death; Rest; Dead, The AFTER THE FLOOD First Line: Here one island %of joy %where there were two Last Line: It is what we are AFTERBLUES Recitation by Author Subject(s): African Americans; Negroes; American Blacks ALABAMA: 9/15/63 Poem Text First Line: Have you heard the one about Last Line: Is still too bright to hear them play? Subject(s): African Americans – Alabam ALABAMA: 9/15/63 First Line: Have you heard the one about Last Line: Is still too bright to hear them play? Subject(s): Alabama ALBUM Poem Text First Line: 1. It is 1939 Last Line: She is / they are Subject(s): Children; Mothers; Childhood ALBUM First Line: 1. It is 1939 Last Line: She is. %they are Subject(s): Children; Mothers AMAZONS Recitation First Line: When the rookery of women Subject(s): Amazons; Breast Cancer; Women AMAZONS First Line: When the rookery of women Last Line: Had already written this poem Subject(s): Amazons; Cancer, Breast; Women ANGELS First Line: Two shinning women. %I will not betray you with Last Line: And your meticulous absence %of wing Subject(s): Absence; Angels; Heaven; Wings ANNA SPEAKS OF THE CHILDHOOD OF MARY HER DAUGHTER First Line: We rise up early and Subject(s): Children; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mothers & Daughters; Women In The Bible; Women In The Bible; Childhood; Virgin Mary ANNA SPEAKS OF THE CHILDHOOD OF MARY HER DAUGHTER First Line: We rise up early and Last Line: To dreaming then? I fight this thing. %all day we scrubbing scrubbing Subject(s): Children; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mothers And Daughters; Women - Bible; Women In The Bible APOLOGY First Line: I became a woman Last Line: I praise you %I grieve my whiteful ways Subject(s): Repentance APOLOGY (TO THE PANTHERS) Poem Text First Line: I became a woman Last Line: I grieve my whiteful days Subject(s): Repentance; Black Nationalism; Penitence ASTROLOGER PREDICTS AT MARY'S BIRTH First Line: This one lie down on grass Last Line: At a certain place when she see something %it will break her eye Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible AT LAST WE KILLED THE ROACHES Poem Text Last Line: All over the place Subject(s): Family Life; Poverty; Cockroaches AT LAST WE KILLED THE ROACHES Last Line: My hands were blades and it was murder murder %all over the place Subject(s): Blood; Murder AT THE CEMETERY, WALNUT GROVE PLANTATION, SOUTH CAROLINA, 1989 Poem Text First Line: Among the rocks / at walnut grove Last Line: Here lies / hear Subject(s): Americans; United States; African Americans; Slavery; Cemeteries; America AT THE CEMETERY, WALNUT GROVE PLANTATION, SOUTH CAROLINA, 1989 First Line: Among the rocks %at walnut grove Last Line: Here lies %hear Subject(s): Americans; United States ATLANTIC IS A SEA OF BONES ATLAS Poem Text First Line: I am used to the heft of it Last Line: To carry everything. Subject(s): African Americans - History; Forests; Labor & Laborers; Strength; Black Heritage; Woods; Work; Workers AUCTION STREET Poem Text First Line: Consider the drum Last Line: The ground you walk is holy Subject(s): Slavery; Auctions AUCTION STREET First Line: Consider the drum Last Line: The ground you walk is holy Subject(s): Streets AUGUST First Line: What would we give Last Line: Oh, at least, alive? AUGUST THE 12TH First Line: We are two scars on a dead woman's belly Last Line: Tell us where you are, %tell us why you are silent now Subject(s): Absence; Brothers AUNT AGNES HATCHER TELLS First Line: After the war when rationing was over Last Line: Slide out babies like payday from that %billion dollar behind Subject(s): African Americans - History; Death; Family Life; Hunger; Slavery; War AUNT JEMIMA Recitation by Author Subject(s): African Americans - Women €ŒOH ANTIC GOD€? Poem Text Subject(s): Mothers; Aging BATHSHEBA Poem Text First Line: How it was -- it was Last Line: Of the wife of uriah Subject(s): Desire; Man-woman Relationships; Passion; Bathsheba(bible); Male-female Relations BATHSHEBA First Line: How it was -- it was Last Line: Or the wife of uriah Subject(s): Desire; Man-woman Relationships; Passion BEING PROPERTY ONCE MYSELF Poem Text Last Line: Same thing for men Subject(s): Slavery; Liberty BEING PROPERTY ONCE MYSELF Last Line: Same thing for other things. %same thing for men Subject(s): Environment; Trees BELOVED First Line: Jonathan the son of saul Last Line: Onto the roof of the king's house Subject(s): Bible; Christianity; Love; Religion BIRTH OF LANGUAGE First Line: And adam rose %fearful in the garden Last Line: Did he shudder %did he whisper %ve BIRTHDAY 1999 First Line: It is late. The train Last Line: More and more and more BLAKE Poem Text First Line: Saw them glittering in the trees Last Line: Dreaming one poem Subject(s): Hope; Solitude; Blake, William (1757-1827); Optimism; Loneliness BLAKE First Line: Saw them glittering in the trees Last Line: Dreaming of blake, searching the branches %for just one poem Subject(s): Hope; Solitude BLESSING THE BOATS Poem Text First Line: May the tide BLESSING THE BOATS (AT SAINT MARY'S) First Line: May the tide that is entering even now Last Line: Sail through this to that BLESSING THE BOATS (AT ST. MARY'S) Poem Text First Line: May the tide Last Line: Adventure & adventurers; boats; fear; Subject(s): Adventure & Adventurers; Boats; Fear BLOOD First Line: Here in this ordinary house Last Line: This ordinary girl will learn %to live with it BODIES BROKEN ON Last Line: Sing for red dust and black clay %good news about the earth Subject(s): News BREAKLIGHT Poem Text First Line: Light keeps on breaking Last Line: Everything they said Subject(s): Fear; Mothers BREAKLIGHT First Line: Light keeps on breaking Last Line: And I understood %everything they said Subject(s): Fear; Mothers BROTHERS Poem Text First Line: Come coil with me Subject(s): Devil; Satan; Mephistopheles; Lucifer; Beelzebub BROTHERS: 1. INVITATION Poem Text First Line: Come coil with me Last Line: What it meant. Subject(s): Brothers; Creation; Half-brothers BROTHERS: 2. HOW GREAT THOU ART Poem Text First Line: Listen, you are beyond Last Line: Imperfection. Subject(s): Brothers; Creation; Desire; Self; Half-brothers BROTHERS: 3. AS FOR MYSELF Poem Text First Line: Less snake than angel Last Line: And to be unafraid. Subject(s): Angels; Brothers; Creation; Mankind; Half-brothers; Human Race BROTHERS: 4. IN MY OWN DEFENSE Poem Text First Line: What could I choose Last Line: Could they have failed to hear. Subject(s): Brothers; Creation; Fathers; Gardens & Gardening; Sin; Half-brothers BROTHERS: 5. THE ROAD LED FROM DELIGHT Poem Text First Line: Into delight, into the sharp Last Line: And so forth. Subject(s): Brothers; Humanity; Meditation; Half-brothers BROTHERS: 6. 'THE SILENCE OF GOD IS GOD.' Poem Text First Line: Tell me, tell us why Last Line: That world and you said nothing. Subject(s): God; Silence BROTHERS: 7. STILL THERE IS MERCY, THERE IS GRACE Poem Text First Line: How otherwise / could I have come to this Last Line: But, amen, yours. Subject(s): Creation; Grace; Mercy; Religion; Travel; Theology; Journeys; Trips BROTHERS: 8. '............IS GOD.' Poem Text First Line: So. / having no need to speak Last Line: The rest is silence. Subject(s): Brothers; God; Religious Education; Silence; Half-brothers; Sunday Schools; Yeshivas; Parochial Schools BUFFALO WAR First Line: War over %everybody gone home Last Line: Nobody dead %everybody dying Subject(s): Buffalo (city), New York; War C.C. RIDER First Line: Who is that running away Last Line: See see rider, see what you have done. Subject(s): Strangers CA'LINE'S PRAYER Poem Text First Line: I have got old Last Line: And set me in the rivers of your glory Subject(s): Deserts; Drought; Food & Eating; Rivers; Water CA'LINE'S PRAYER First Line: I have got old Last Line: And set me in the rivers of your glory %ye ma jah Subject(s): Deserts; Drought; Food And Eating; Rivers; Water CAIN First Line: So this is what it means Last Line: My brother is. Subject(s): Cain; Fathers & Sons CAIN Poem Text First Line: The land of nod Last Line: Don't rise up Subject(s): Cain; Fathers & Sons CAIN First Line: The land of nod Last Line: My brother %don't rise up Subject(s): Brothers; Cain CALIFORNIA LESSONS, SELS. CALLING OF THE DISCIPLES First Line: Some jesus %has come on me Last Line: Laughing like god's fool %behind this jesus Subject(s): Apostles; Bible; Catholics; Jesus Christ; Religion CALMING KALI Poem Text First Line: Be quiet awful woman Last Line: I know I am your sister Subject(s): Caregivers; Sisters CALMING KALI First Line: Be quiet awful woman Last Line: Awful woman, %I know I am your sister Subject(s): Caregivers; Sisters CARVER First Line: Sees the man %in the wood and Last Line: The carver %brother Subject(s): Brothers CHEMOTHERAPY First Line: My hair is pain CHORUS: LUCILLE First Line: Something is growing in the strong man CIGARETTES Poem Text First Line: My father burned us all. Ash Last Line: Smoldering halls. Subject(s): Children; Fathers; Fire; Parents; Smoking; Childhood; Parenthood; Tobacco; Pipes; Cigars; Cigarettes CLIMBING Poem Text First Line: A woman precedes me up the long rope Subject(s): Aging COME HOME FROM THE MOVIES Poem Text Last Line: They already know how to dance Subject(s): African Americans; Motion Pictures COME HOME FROM THE MOVIES Last Line: Show our fathers how to walk like men, %they already know how to dance Subject(s): African Americans - Children COMING OF FOX First Line: One evening I return Last Line: Into long bright flags %of fur Subject(s): Foxes COMING OF KALI First Line: It is the black god, kali Last Line: She knows I know them well. %she knows. She knows Subject(s): African Americans - Women CONFESSION First Line: Father %I am not equal to the faith required Last Line: Their shimmering voices %singing Subject(s): Confessions; Faith CONSULTING THE BOK OF CHANGES: RADIATION First Line: Each morning you will cup Last Line: If you do, you will cry forever Subject(s): Cancer (disease); Cancer, Breast; Grief; Self-pity; Women CONVERSATION WITH MY GRANDSON, WAITING TO BE CONCEIVED First Line: You will bloom %in a family of flowers Last Line: You are a flower %that has no name Subject(s): Grandparents CRABBING First Line: Pulling / into their pots Last Line: Of others? Subject(s): Crabs CRAZY HORSE INSTRUCTS THE YOUNG MEN BUT IN THEIR GRIEF First Line: Cousins if I be betrayed CRAZY HORSE NAMES HIS DAUGHTER First Line: Sing the names of the women sing CRUELTY, DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT CRUELTY Poem Text Last Line: I never know what I might do Subject(s): Cruelty; Family Life; Cockroaches CRUELTY, DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT CRUELTY Subject(s): Cruelty CUTTING GREENS Poem Text First Line: Curling them around / I hold their bodies in obscene embrace Subject(s): African Americans; Negroes; American Blacks CUTTING GREENS First Line: Curling them around %I hold their bodies in obscene embrace Last Line: And I taste in my natural appetite %the bond of live things evrywhere Subject(s): African Americans DADDY Poem Text First Line: The days have kept on coming Last Line: The days in the confident man Subject(s): Fathers & Daughters; Mothers & Sons DADDY First Line: The days have kept on coming Last Line: I comfort my son with the hope %the life in the confident man Subject(s): Fathers And Sons DANCER First Line: I have ruled %for forty years Last Line: I wonder, %the dancer or the dance? Subject(s): Dancing And Dancers; Men; Old Age; Sex; Virginity DANIEL Poem Text First Line: I have learned / some few things Last Line: Even in the lion's den Subject(s): Daniel (bible); Adversity DANIEL First Line: I have learned %some few things Last Line: He don't stumble %even in the lion's den Subject(s): Daniel (bible) DAUGHTERS Poem Text First Line: Woman who shines at the head Last Line: Of georgia, daughter of / dazzling you Subject(s): Mothers & Daughters; Grandparents DAVID HAS SLAIN HIS TEN THOUSANDS First Line: I would rise from my covering Last Line: My wrath or my regret Subject(s): God; Self DAVID, MUSING First Line: It was I who faced the lion and the bear Last Line: For later -- for her -- for israel -- for my sons Subject(s): David (d. 962 B.c.); Faith; Hunger; Introspection; Passion; Regret DEAR FOX Poem Text First Line: It is not my habit Last Line: From somebody else's life / any time Subject(s): Foxes; Humanity DEAR FOX First Line: It is not my habit Last Line: From somebody else's life %any time Subject(s): Foxes; Humanity DEAR JESSE HELMS Poem Text First Line: Something is happening Last Line: Something obscene. Subject(s): Hate; Helms, Jesse (b. 1921); War DEATH OF CRAZY HORSE First Line: In the hills where the hoop Last Line: As I enter the actual world Subject(s): Crazy Horse (oglala Sioux Chief) DEATH OF FRED CLIFTON First Line: I seemed to be drawn Last Line: But oh, at last, the things themselves DEATH OF JOANNE C. First Line: I am the battleground that DEATH OF THELMA SAYLES First Line: I leave no tracks so my live loves Last Line: Has made it strong, I whisper in her ear %along the leaves DECEMBER First Line: The end of a thing Last Line: You know about that DIALYSIS First Line: After the cancer, the kidneys Last Line: Blessed be even this? DISCOVERIES OF FIRE First Line: Remember %when the skin of your fingers healed Last Line: Once animals and now %men Subject(s): Fire; Smoke DONOR First Line: When they tell me that my body %might reject Last Line: Fastened to life like the frown %on an angel's brow DOWN THE TRAM First Line: Hell is like this -- first stone Last Line: They must be beautiful Subject(s): Beauty; Hell; Nature DREAM OF FOXES First Line: In the dream of foxes Last Line: Safe through the generous fields Subject(s): Dreams; Foxes DRIVING THROUGH NEW ENGLAND Last Line: These wheatfields %white poets call the past Subject(s): Fields; New England EACH MORNING I PULL MYSELF Poem Text Last Line: Say it coward say it Subject(s): Despair EARTH First Line: Here is where it was dry Last Line: Was a nice place %once Subject(s): Earth; Wilderness EASTER SUNDAY Poem Text First Line: While I was in the middle of the night Last Line: And lift men up Subject(s): Easter; God; Holidays; Jesus Christ; Religion; Resurrection, The; The Resurrection; Theology EASTER SUNDAY First Line: While I was in the middle of the night Last Line: I must slide down like a great dipper of stars %and lift men up Subject(s): Easter; God; Holidays; Jesus Christ; Religion; Resurrection, The ELDRIDGE Poem Text First Line: Nobody mentioned war Last Line: Break, or / be broken Subject(s): Civil Rights Movement; African Americans; Cleaver, Eldridge (1935-1998) ELDRIDGE First Line: The edge %of this Last Line: Break, or be broken Subject(s): African Americans; Strength ENEMIES First Line: Evening, %I creep %into the tent Last Line: Myself also. David. %the poet david Subject(s): Enemies ENTER MY MOTHER ENTERING THE SOUTH Poem Text First Line: I have put on my mother's coat Last Line: Heavy and dark and alive Subject(s): African Americans; Animal Rights; Fur Trade; Southern States; Negroes; American Blacks; Animal Abuse; Vivisection; Furs; South (u.s.) ENTERING THE SOUTH First Line: I have put on my mother's coat Last Line: Heavy and dark and alive Subject(s): African Americans; Animal Rights; Fur Trade; Southern States EVE THINKING First Line: It is wild country here Last Line: Tonight as he sleeps %I will whisper into his mouth %our names EVE'S VERSION First Line: Smooth talker Last Line: It is your own lush self %you hunger for %he whispers lucifer %honey-tongue EVENING AND MY DEAD ONCE HUSBAND Last Line: It does not help to know Subject(s): Death; Grief; Marriage EVERETT ANDERSON'S FRIEND Poem Text First Line: Someone new has come to stay Last Line: Next door in 13a Subject(s): Friendship EVERETT ANDERSON'S FRIEND First Line: Someone new has come to stay Subject(s): Friendship EXPLANATIONS First Line: Anonymous water can slide under the ground Last Line: Or promise %or prophesy? Subject(s): Desire EYES First Line: Live where you can FAR MEMORY Poem Text First Line: My knees recall the pockets Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed FAR MEMORY: 1. CONVENT Poem Text First Line: My knees recall the pockets Last Line: And certainly attended. Subject(s): African Americans - History; Convents; Memory; Sisters; Women & Religion; Black Heritage FAR MEMORY: 2. SOMEONE INSIDE ME REMEMBERS Poem Text First Line: That my knees must be hidden away Last Line: Than myself Subject(s): Convents; Memory; Nuns; Prayer; Women & Religion FAR MEMORY: 3. AGAIN Poem Text First Line: Born in the year of war Last Line: Of another life. Subject(s): African Americans - Women; War FAR MEMORY: 4. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS LIFE Poem Text First Line: Who did I fail, who Last Line: Of rescue, rescue. Subject(s): African Americans - History; Life; Sisters; Women & Religion; Black Heritage FAR MEMORY: 5. SINNERMAN Poem Text First Line: Horizontal one evening Last Line: And my own whispered / hosanna? Subject(s): Convents; Memory; Nuns; Women & Religion FAR MEMORY: 6. KARMA Poem Text First Line: The habit is heavy Last Line: No whole abiding / sister Subject(s): Habits; Sisters; Women & Religion FAR MEMORY: 7. GLORIA MUNDI Poem Text First Line: So knowing, / what is known? Last Line: In one life. Subject(s): Life; Memory; Women & Religion FEBRUARY 13,1980 Poem Text First Line: Twenty-one years of my life you have been Last Line: Whatever I say Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation FEBRUARY 13,1980 First Line: Twenty-one years of my life you have been Last Line: But I am not grown away from you %whatever I say Subject(s): Absence FEMALE First Line: There is an amazon in us Last Line: We smile our mysterious smile FINAL NOTE TO CLARK Poem Text First Line: They had it wrong Last Line: Not wonder woman and not superman Subject(s): Superman FLOWERS Poem Text First Line: Here we are / running with the weeds Last Line: Is love Subject(s): Colors; Flowers; Gardens & Gardening; Love FLOWERS First Line: Here we are %running with the weeds Last Line: And the name of the place %is love Subject(s): Colors; Flowers; Gardens And Gardening; Love FOR DELAWD Poem Text First Line: People say they have a hard time Subject(s): African Americans; Negroes; American Blacks FOR DELAWD First Line: People say they have a hard time Last Line: For their still alive sons %for their sons coming %for their sons gone %just pushing Subject(s): African Americans FOR HER HIDING PLACE Poem Text Last Line: Straight on to our backs / like death Subject(s): Davis, Angela FOR HER HIDING PLACE Last Line: Straight on to our backs %like death Subject(s): Memory; Sisters FOR RODDY First Line: I am imagining this of you Last Line: Toward me, wherever, whose ever I am. Subject(s): Imagination; Jesus Christ; Life; Resurrection, The; Fancy FOR THE BIRD WHO FLEW AGAINST OUR WINDOW ONE MORNING Poem Text First Line: My window / is his wall Last Line: In his suicide Subject(s): Suicide FOR THE BIRD WHO FLEW AGAINST OUR WINDOW ONE MORNING First Line: My window %is his wall Last Line: And leaves me grounded %in his suicide Subject(s): Suicide FOR THE BLIND First Line: You will enter morning Last Line: Your eyes will open %with delight Subject(s): Blindness; Eyes; Vision FOR THE LAME First Line: Happen you will rise Last Line: Happen you will wonder at the way %it seemed so marvelous to move Subject(s): Physical Disabilities FOR THE MAD Poem Text First Line: You will be alone at last Last Line: They will say you are well Subject(s): Anger; Insanity; Madness; Mental Illness FOR THE MAD First Line: You will be alone at last Last Line: You will not be better but %they will say you are well Subject(s): Anger; Insanity FOR THE MUTE First Line: They will blow from your mouth one morning Last Line: Too many languages for %one mortal tongue Subject(s): Speech Disorders FORGIVING MY FATHER Poem Text First Line: It is friday. We have come Last Line: And no accounting will open them up Subject(s): Fathers & Daughters; Forgiveness; Clemency FORGIVING MY FATHER First Line: It is friday. We have come Last Line: You lie side by side in debtors' boxes %and no accounting will open them up Subject(s): Fathers And Daughters; Forgiveness FOX Poem Text First Line: Who / can blame her for hunkering Last Line: Not feeding, not being fed? Subject(s): Foxes; Hunger; Winter FOX First Line: Who %can blame her for hunkering Last Line: Not feeding, not being fed? Subject(s): Foxes; Hunger; Winter FRIDAY WAITING FOR MOM Poem Text First Line: When I am seven Last Line: Says so too Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives FRIDAY WAITING FOR MOM First Line: When I am seven Last Line: Mama and %everett anderson- %friends Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life FRIENDS COME First Line: Explaining to me that my mind Last Line: They are present as air. %they are there Subject(s): Friendship FROM THE CADAVER First Line: The arm you hold up Last Line: Cold in a stranger's hand Subject(s): Corpses; Death; Fathers And Sons FURTHER NOTE TO CLARK Poem Text First Line: What I can promise to be is water Last Line: More than your own safety Subject(s): Niagara Falls; Superman FURY; FOR MAMA Poem Text First Line: Remember this Last Line: For this woman's sake. Subject(s): African Americans - History; Obedience; Women - Abused; Black Heritage; Wife Beating GARDEN OF DELIGHT First Line: For some %it is stone Last Line: For them %it is a test GENERATIONS Poem Text First Line: People who are going to be Last Line: By their invisibility / denounce us Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Change; Social Problems GENERATIONS First Line: People who are going to be Last Line: By their invisibility %denounce us Subject(s): Begging And Beggars; Change; Social Problems GOD SEND EASTER Poem Text First Line: And we will lace the Last Line: Glory in our skin Subject(s): Easter; Holidays; Jesus Christ; Religion; The Resurrection; Theology GOD SEND EASTER First Line: And we will lace the Last Line: And apple as we %glory in our skin Subject(s): Easter; Holidays; Jesus Christ; Religion GOD WAITS FOR THE WANDERING WORLD Poem Text Last Line: Patience is his promise Subject(s): God; Patience GOD WAITS FOR THE WANDERING WORLD Last Line: He will not mind my coming after hours. %his patience is his promise Subject(s): Patience GOD'S MOOD Poem Text First Line: These daughters are bone Last Line: Adam's whining ways Subject(s): Death - Children; Old Age; Solitude; Death - Babies; Loneliness GOD'S MOOD First Line: These daughters are bone Last Line: He is tired of eve's fancy and %adam's whining ways Subject(s): Death - Children; Old Age; Solitude GOOD FRIDAY Poem Text First Line: I rise up above my self Last Line: If they want it Subject(s): Good Friday; Holidays; Holy Week; Jesus Christ GOOD FRIDAY First Line: I rise up above my self Last Line: Men will be gods %if they want it Subject(s): Good Friday; Holidays; Holy Week; Jesus Christ GOOD TIMES Poem Text First Line: My daddy has paid the rent Subject(s): Family Life; African Americans; Family Life; United States; Relatives; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives; America GOOD TIMES Poem Text First Line: My daddy has paid the rent Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; United States; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives; America GOOD TIMES First Line: My daddy has paid the rent Last Line: Oh children think about the %good times Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; United States GOOD WOMAN: POEMS AND A MEMOIR Subject(s): Alphabet Verse GRIEF First Line: Begin with the pain Last Line: Grief for what is not GROWN DAUGHTER First Line: Someone is helping me with the onions HAG RIDING Poem Text First Line: Why / is what I ask myself Last Line: I ride I ride Subject(s): Africa; Hope; Life; Self-satisfaction; Optimism HAG RIDING First Line: Why %is what I ask myself Last Line: Over the rump of the day and honey %I ride -- I ride Subject(s): Africa; Hope; Life; Self-satisfaction HARRIET Poem Text First Line: Harriet / if I be you Last Line: Love my children and / wait Subject(s): African Americans - Women HARRIET First Line: Harriet %if I be you Last Line: Love my children and %wait Subject(s): African Americans - Women HEAVEN Poem Text First Line: My brother is crouched at the edge Last Line: Even when she was right, she was wrong Subject(s): Brothers & Sisters; Death; Heaven; Dead, The; Paradise HEAVEN First Line: My brother is crouched at the edge Last Line: Even when she was right, she was wrong.' Subject(s): Brothers And Sisters; Death; Heaven HER LOVE POEM First Line: Demon, demon, you have dumped me Last Line: Or hate you but I will have you %have you have you Subject(s): Love - Complaints HERE IS ANOTHER BONE TO PICK WITH YOU HERE RESTS Poem Text First Line: My sister josephine Subject(s): Sisters HERE RESTS First Line: My sister josephine, %born july in '29 Last Line: May they bed you %with respect HERE YET BE DRAGONS Poem Text First Line: So many languages have fallen Last Line: Tongue and remain proud? Subject(s): Language HERE YET BE DRAGONS Poem Text First Line: So many languages have fallen Last Line: Tongue and remain proud? Subject(s): Loss HOLY NIGHT Poem Text First Line: Joseph, I afraid of stars Subject(s): Christmas; Night; Nativity, The; Bedtime HOLY NIGHT First Line: Joseph, I afraid of stars Last Line: Joseph, I shine, oh joseph, oh %illuminated night Subject(s): Christmas; Night HOMAGE TO MY HAIR Poem Text First Line: When I feel her jump up and dance Last Line: The blacker she do be! Subject(s): African Americans - Women HOMAGE TO MY HAIR First Line: When I feel her jump up and dance Last Line: The grayer she do get, good god, %the blacker she do be! Subject(s): African Americans - Women HOMAGE TO MY HIPS Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: These hips are big hips Subject(s): Hips; Women HOMAGE TO MY HIPS First Line: These hips are big hips Last Line: To put a spell on a man and %spin him like a top! Subject(s): Hips; Women HOW IS HE COMING THEN First Line: Like a pot turned on the straw Last Line: Like a shepherd who hears in his herding %his mother whisper my son my son Subject(s): Jesus Christ I AM ACCUSED OF TENDING TO THE PAST Poem Text I AM ACCUSED OF TENDING TO THE PAST Last Line: On her own, beware, she will I AM HIGH ON THE MAN CALLED CRAZY Poem Text Last Line: He has bitten sons Subject(s): African Americans; Man-woman Relationships I AM HIGH ON THE MAN CALLED CRAZY Last Line: To eat devils and out of mine %he has bitten sons Subject(s): African Americans I AM NOT DONE YET First Line: As possible as yeast Last Line: Most of my lives is %where I'm going Subject(s): Fate I AM RUNNING INTO A NEW YEAR Poem Text Last Line: And I leave to forgive me Subject(s): New Year I AM RUNNING INTO A NEW YEAR Last Line: And I beg what I love and %I leave to forgive me Subject(s): Aging; Birthdays; Holidays; Maturity; New Year I ONCE KNEW A MAN WHO HAD WILD HORSES KILLED Poem Text I ONCE KNEW A MAN WHO HAD WILD HORSES KILLED Last Line: He had had wild horses killed one time and %they rode him to his grave Subject(s): Farm Life I TAKE MY GLASSES OFF Poem Text First Line: It is the hard Last Line: So I can see Subject(s): Sight I WAS BORN IN A HOTEL Poem Text Last Line: A woman jar Subject(s): African Americans – Women; Birth I WAS BORN IN A HOTEL Last Line: And it has made me %wise Subject(s): Wisdom I WAS BORN WITH TWELVE FINGERS Poem Text Recitation by Author Last Line: Through our terrible shadowy hands Subject(s): Hands I WAS BORN WITH TWELVE FINGERS Last Line: My dead mother my live daughter and me %through our terrible shadowy hands Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters I WENT TO THE VALLEY Last Line: My soul got happy %and I stayed all day Subject(s): African Americans; Slavery; U.s. - Race Relations; Virginia (state) I'M GOING BACK TO MY TRUE IDENTITY First Line: I was ready to return I. AT CREATION First Line: And I and my body rise IF HE ASK YOU WAS I LAUGHING First Line: I wonder what become of my mama Last Line: Pray that the lord spare hagar %till she explain Subject(s): Prayer IF I SHOULD (TO CLARK KENT) Poem Text First Line: Enter the darkest room Last Line: After me, leaping tall buildings? / you? Subject(s): Family Life; Superman IF I STAND IN MY WINDOW Poem Text Last Line: Praying in tongues Subject(s): African Americans – Women; Identity; Nudity IF I STAND IN MY WINDOW Last Line: Crying %praying in tongues Subject(s): African Americans IF MAMA Poem Text First Line: If mama / could see Last Line: Clean up your room Subject(s): Family Life; Mothers; Youth IF MAMA Last Line: Good girl %clean up your room Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters IF OUR GRANDCHILD BE A GIRL First Line: I wish for her Last Line: Wearing %extravagant gloves Subject(s): Grandchildren IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN Poem Text First Line: For instance / if the sea should break Subject(s): Erosion; Seashore; Tides; Beach; Coast; Shore IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN First Line: For instance %if the sea should break Last Line: Where will the captains run and %to what harbor? Subject(s): Erosion; Seashore; Tides IMAGINING BEAR; FOR ALONZO MOORE SR. First Line: Imagine him too tall and too wide Last Line: Remembering him in poems Subject(s): Imagination; Fancy IN 1841 WASHOE CHILDREN First Line: In 1844, explorers john fremont and kit carson discovered lake tahoe Last Line: Found what was not lost Subject(s): Tahoe (lake), Sierra Nevada Mountains; Explorers; Native Americans IN POPULATED AIR Poem Text Last Line: Their shimmering voices / singing Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry IN POPULATED AIR Last Line: Their shimmering voices %singing Subject(s): Ancestors And Ancestry IN SALEM First Line: Weird sister %the black witches know that Last Line: As she beats her ordinary bread Subject(s): Witchcraft And Witches IN THE EVENINGS Poem Text First Line: I go through my rooms Last Line: Like a ghost Subject(s): Cold; Evening; Ghosts; Poverty; Supernatural; Winter; Sunset; Twilight IN THE EVENINGS First Line: I go through my rooms Last Line: Shaking locks in the night %like a ghost Subject(s): Cold; Evening; Ghosts; Poverty; Supernatural; Winter IN THE INNER CITY IN THE INNER CITY Last Line: Like we call it %home Subject(s): Cities; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; U.s. - Race Relations IN THE MEANTIME First Line: The lord of loaves and fishes Last Line: I am become death -- the destroyer of worlds Subject(s): Bible; Death; Nuclear War; Religion; Social Protest IN THE MIRROR First Line: An only breast %leans against her chest wall Last Line: Remember the shape of an unsafe life IN THE SAME WEEK First Line: After the third day Last Line: Too little and too late Subject(s): Innocence IN THIS GARDEN Last Line: One face %swiveling slowly in Subject(s): Household Employees IN WHITE AMERICA, SELS. INCANDESCENCE Last Line: We are %the light Subject(s): Light INCANTATION First Line: Pluck the hairs ISLAND MARY Poem Text First Line: After the all been done and I Last Line: What star still choosing? Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary ISLAND MARY First Line: After the all been done and I Last Line: What song around her ear? %what star still choosing? Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible IT WAS A DREAM Poem Text First Line: In which my greater self Last Line: This. This. This. Subject(s): Dreams; Self; Nightmares JACKIE ROBINSON Poem Text First Line: Ran against walls / without breaking Last Line: Entered the conquering dark Subject(s): Baseball; Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972); Sports JACKIE ROBINSON First Line: Ran against walls %without breaking Last Line: Over whitestone fences, %entered the conquering dark Subject(s): Baseball; Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972); Sports JANUARY 1991 Poem Text First Line: They have sent our boy Last Line: And them and us Subject(s): Children JASPER TEXAS 1998 Poem Text First Line: I am a man's head hunched in the road. Subject(s): Racism; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry JASPER TEXAS: 1988 First Line: I am a man's head hunched in the road Last Line: I am done with this dust. I am done JOB First Line: Job easy %is the pride Last Line: Like a good baby %to breakfast Subject(s): Job (bible) JOHN Poem Text First Line: Somebody coming in blackness Last Line: In blackness like a star Subject(s): Baptists; John The Baptist, Saint (1st Century); Preaching & Preachers JOHN Poem Text First Line: Somebody coming in darkness Subject(s): Religion; Baptists; John The Baptist, Saint (1st Century); Preaching & Preachers; Theology JOHN First Line: Somebody coming in blackness Last Line: Somebody bigger than me coming %in blackness like a star Subject(s): Baptists; John The Baptist, Saint (1st Century); Preaching And Preachers JONAH First Line: What I remember %is green Last Line: I would send to the brothers %- be care full of the ocean Subject(s): Jonah (bible) JOSEPH Poem Text First Line: Something about this boy Last Line: Jesus jesus jesus Subject(s): Boys; Jesus Christ JOSEPH First Line: Something about this boy Last Line: My mouth cries only %jesus jesus jesus Subject(s): Boys; Jesus Christ JUNE 20TH Poem Text First Line: I will be born in one week Last Line: Into their temporary joy Subject(s): Birth; Family Life KALI First Line: Kali %queen of fatality Last Line: Kali. %who is black Subject(s): Courts And Courtiers; Hinduism; Religion KIND OF MAN HE IS First Line: The look of him Last Line: Which is %the kind of man he is Subject(s): African Americans KITCHEN First Line: My mama has made bread Last Line: Oh children think about the good times Subject(s): Language LANE IS THE PRETTY ONE First Line: Her veins run mogen david Last Line: Love %dear sister Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sisters LAST NOTE TO MY GIRLS Poem Text First Line: My girls / my girls Last Line: My girls my more than me Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Girls LAST NOTE TO MY GIRLS First Line: My girls %my girls Last Line: My girls %my more than me Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Girls LATELY Last Line: Turned into most of my cousins %and left Subject(s): Racism LATER I'LL SAY Poem Text First Line: Later I'll say / I spent my life Last Line: Loving a great man Subject(s): Love LATER I'LL SAY Last Line: Listening to %my body breaking Subject(s): Abortion; Childlessness; Death - Children LAZARUS First Line: I rise from stiffening %into a pin of light Last Line: From the door to my grave %the only peace I know LAZARUS: FIRST DAY First Line: I rise from stiffening %into a pin of light Last Line: Singing my name %in the same voice LAZARUS: SECOND DAY First Line: I am not the same man %borne into the crypt Last Line: What walked out is another LAZARUS: THIRD DAY First Line: On the third day I contemplate Last Line: The only truth I know LEANNA'S POEM First Line: One %is never enough for me Last Line: More than one %more than one Subject(s): Hunger; Poetry And Poets LEAVING FOX Poem Text First Line: So many fuckless days and nights Last Line: Until something human comes Subject(s): Foxes LEAVING FOX First Line: So many fuckless days and nights Last Line: Until something human comes Subject(s): Foxes LEDA 2: A NOTE ON VISITATIONS Poem Text First Line: Sometimes another star chooses Last Line: Is the only shining thing. Subject(s): African Americans; Guests; Leda; Mythology - Classical; Negroes; American Blacks; Visiting LEDA 3: A PERSONAL NOTE (RE: VISITATIONS) Poem Text First Line: Always pyrotechnics; / stars spinning into phalluses Last Line: Or don't come. Subject(s): Leda; Mythology - Classical; Solitude; Spiritual Life; Loneliness LEDA: 1 Poem Text First Line: There is nothing luminous Last Line: Fucking god fucking me. Subject(s): African Americans - History; Curses; Leda; Mythology - Classical; Black Heritage LEE Poem Text First Line: My mother's people Subject(s): African Americans; Fathers; Generals; Lee, Robert Edward (1807-1870); Slavery; Southern States; Virginia (state); Negroes; American Blacks; Serfs; South (u.s.) LEE First Line: My mother's people Last Line: Chaining his mother to lee Subject(s): African Americans; Fathers; Generals; Lee, Robert Edward (1807-1870); Slavery; Southern States; Virginia (state) LET THERE BE NEW FLOWERING Poem Text Last Line: At the end Subject(s): Flowers LET THERE BE NEW FLOWERING Last Line: Let love be %at the end Subject(s): Love; Military; Victory LEUKEMIA AS DREAM RITUAL Poem Text First Line: It is night in my room Last Line: Eat the whispers, eat and drink Subject(s): Cancer (disease) LEUKEMIA AS DREAM RITUAL First Line: It is night in my room Subject(s): Cancer (disease) LEUKEMIA AS WHITE RABBIT First Line: Running always running murmuring LIBATION First Line: I offer to this ground Last Line: This salty ground, %this gin LIGHT Last Line: Mine already is %an afrikan name Subject(s): African Americans - Women; U.s. - Race Relations; Virginia (state) LIGHT THAT CAME TO LUCILLE CLIFTON Last Line: You might as well answer the door, my child, %the truth is furiously knocking.' Subject(s): Abandonment; Reality; Single Parents LISTEN CHILDREN Poem Text Subject(s): Children; Racism; Childhood; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry LISTEN CHILDREN Last Line: We have always loved each other %children all ways %pass it on Subject(s): African Americans LIVES First Line: You have been a fisherman Last Line: You were then. You were not there LORENA Poem Text First Line: It lay in my palm soft and trembled Last Line: I thought it could fly Subject(s): Introspection LORENA First Line: It lay in my palm soft and trembled Last Line: I thought it could fly Subject(s): Introspection LOST BABY POEM First Line: The time I dropped your almost body down Last Line: My life will keep silent %listening to %my body breaking Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women; Death - Children LOST WOMEN First Line: I need to know their names LOT'S WIFE: 1988 First Line: Each of these weeds is a day Last Line: I promise, yes we will LOVE REJECTED Poem Text Recitation First Line: Love rejected / hurts so much more Last Line: Their country don't love them Subject(s): Racism LOVE REJECTED Last Line: Is they found out %their country don't love them Subject(s): Love; Patriotism LUCIFER SPEAKS IN HIS OWN VOICE First Line: Sure as I am Last Line: I the only lucifer %light-bringer %created out of fire %illuminate I could %and so %illuminate I did LUCIFER UNDERSTANDING AT LAST First Line: Thy servant lord %bearer of lightning Last Line: There will be no peace %in heaven LUCY AND HER GIRLS Poem Text First Line: Lucy is the ocean Last Line: Lucy / was going Subject(s): African Americans - Children; Girls LUCY AND HER GIRLS First Line: Lucy is the ocean Last Line: Lucy %was going Subject(s): African Americans - Children; Girls LUCY ONE-EYE Poem Text Last Line: The darling girl Subject(s): Women; Human Behavior LUCY ONE-EYE Last Line: And her wrinkled ways, %the darling girl Subject(s): African Americans - Women LUMPECTOMY EVE Poem Text First Line: All night I dream of lips Last Line: If you do not? Subject(s): Breast Feeding; Breasts; Breast Cancer; Nursing (infants) LUMPECTOMY EVE First Line: All night I dream of lips Last Line: All night it is the one breast %comforting the other Subject(s): Breast Feeding; Breasts; Cancer, Breast MAKING OF POEMS First Line: The reason why I do it Last Line: As I am adam and his mother %and these failures are my job Subject(s): Poetry And Poets MALCOLM Poem Text First Line: Nobody mentioned war Last Line: Screaming through the streets Subject(s): African Americans; Malcolm X (malcolm Little) (1925-1965); Negroes; American Blacks MALCOLM First Line: Nobody mentioned war Last Line: And from their holes black eagles flew %screaming through the streets Subject(s): African Americans; Malcolm X (malcolm Little) (1925-1965) MARY Poem Text First Line: This kiss / as soft as cotton Last Line: I see a tree Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mercy; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary MARY First Line: This kiss %as soft as cotton Last Line: Between my legs %I see a tree Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mercy; Women - Bible MARY MARY ASTONISHED BY GOD Last Line: We pray for you sister woman shook by the %awe full affection of the saints Subject(s): God; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible MARY'S DREAM Poem Text First Line: Winged women was saying Last Line: I joined them, whispering / yes Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary MARY'S DREAM First Line: Winged women was saying Last Line: I joined them, whispering %yes Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible MEETING AFTER THE SAVIOR GONE First Line: What we decided is Last Line: Where you been %where you headed Subject(s): Survival MEMORY First Line: Ask me to tell how it feels Last Line: She smiles, ask me %how it feels Subject(s): African Americans; Childhood Memories; Memory; Mothers And Daughters; Prejudice MEMPHIS First Line: I was raised %on the shore Last Line: So many questions %northern born Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Memphis, Tennessee MERCY Recitation by Author Subject(s): Incest MERCY First Line: How grateful I was when he decided Last Line: Then and now grateful how sick I am %how mad MESSAGE OF CRAZY HORSE First Line: I would sit in the center of the world Last Line: I have seen it. I am crazy horse MESSAGE OF FRED CLIFTON First Line: I rise up from the dead before you MESSAGE OF JO First Line: My body is a war MESSAGE OF THELMA SAYLES First Line: Baby, my only husband turned away Last Line: Turn the blood that clots on your tongue MISS ROSIE Poem Text First Line: When I watch you / wrapped like garbage Subject(s): African Americans - Women MISS ROSIE First Line: When I watch you %wrapped like garbage Last Line: Through your destruction %I stand up Subject(s): African Americans - Women MISSISSIPPI RIVER EMPTIES INTO THE GULF First Line: And the gulf enters the sea and so forth Last Line: Only here. Only now Subject(s): Mississippi River; Past; Rivers; Seashore; Time MONTICELLO First Line: God declares no independence Last Line: From this black sally %branded with jefferson hair Subject(s): Slavery MOON CHILD Poem Text First Line: Whatever slid into my mother's room that Last Line: I always blame the moon Subject(s): Birth; Moon MOONCHILD First Line: Whatever slid into my mother's room that Last Line: I always blame the moon MORNING MIRROR First Line: My mother her sad eyes worn as bark MOSES Poem Text First Line: I walk on bones Last Line: God had got his eye on Subject(s): Bible; Moses; Old Age; Slavery; Serfs MOSES First Line: I walk on bones Last Line: Like a bush %god got his eye on Subject(s): Bible; Moses; Old Age; Slavery MOTHER, I AM MAD Last Line: Someone of it is answering to %your name Subject(s): Light; Mothers And Daughters MOVE Poem Text First Line: They had begun to whisper Last Line: Move / away Subject(s): African Americans; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Negroes; American Blacks MULBERRY FIELDS Poem Text First Line: They thought the field was wasting MY BOYS First Line: My boys beauty is Last Line: Questioning over and over - %what is the meaning of this? Subject(s): African Americans - Children; Boys MY DADDY'S FINGERS MOVE AMONG THE COUPLERS Poem Text Last Line: My daddy's fingers might be men again Subject(s): Fathers MY DADDY'S FINGERS MOVE AMONG THE COUPLERS Last Line: What do the couplers know %about being locked together? Subject(s): African Americans; Fathers MY DREAM ABOUT BEING WHITE Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: Hey music and me / only white Last Line: Wake up / dancing Subject(s): African Americans - Women MY DREAM ABOUT BEING WHITE First Line: Hey music and me %only white Last Line: So I take them off and %wake up dancing Subject(s): African Americans - Women MY DREAM ABOUT FALLING First Line: A fruitful woman %such as myself Last Line: The dream is the tree MY DREAM ABOUT GOD First Line: He is wearing my grandfather's hat Last Line: He does whatever I say MY DREAM ABOUT THE COWS First Line: And then I see the cattle of my own town Last Line: The dream about the cows MY DREAM ABOUT THE POET First Line: A man. %I think it is a man Last Line: I think he is laughing MY DREAM ABOUT THE SECOND COMING Poem Text First Line: Mary is an old woman without shoes Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed MY DREAM ABOUT THE SECOND COMING First Line: Mary is an old woman without shoes Last Line: She calls it a fox %but she feeds it MY DREAM ABOUT TIME Poem Text First Line: A woman unlike myself is running Subject(s): Transience; Impermanence MY DREAM ABOUT TIME First Line: A woman unlike myself is running Last Line: All of the clocks strike %no MY FRIENDS Poem Text First Line: No they will not understand Last Line: But whole Subject(s): Friendship MY FRIENDS First Line: No they will not understand Last Line: With you in your small room limbless %but whole Subject(s): Friendship MY LOST FATHER Poem Text First Line: See where he moves Last Line: Of husbands fathers sons Subject(s): Loss MY MAMA MOVED AMONG THE DAYS Poem Text Subject(s): Mothers MY MAMA MOVED AMONG THE DAYS Last Line: Then seemed like she turned around and ran %right back in %right back on in Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers; Women MY NATURAL MAMA First Line: My natural mama %is gingerbread Last Line: Is gingerbread, %brown and spicy sweet Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life MY POEM Poem Text First Line: A love person Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Revenge MY POEM First Line: A love person %from love people Last Line: And his skin %be his heart's revenge Subject(s): Poetry And Poets; Revenge MY SANCTIFIED GRANDMOTHER Last Line: Not my own. Theirs Subject(s): Grandchildren; Grandparents; Speech MY WIFE First Line: Wakes up, having forgotten MYSTERY THAT SURELY IS PRESENT Last Line: Or what is waiting to turn from us %even now? Subject(s): Mystery NAOMI WATCHES AS RUTH SLEEPS Poem Text First Line: She clings to me Last Line: I can grieve in peace. Subject(s): African Americans; Naomi (bible); Peace; Women In The Bible; Negroes; American Blacks NEW BONES Poem Text First Line: We will wear / new bones again Last Line: We know Subject(s): Life NEW BONES First Line: We will wear %new bones again Last Line: How strong life is. %we know Subject(s): Life NEW YEAR First Line: Lucy %by sam Last Line: Walks toward an ocean %of days Subject(s): Holidays; New Year NEWS First Line: Everything changes the old Last Line: Dead things could stumble back %and kill us Subject(s): News NIGHT VISION Poem Text First Line: The girl fits her body in Last Line: To build something human with it Subject(s): Women; Sleep NOTE FROM MEMPHIS First Line: History is chasing you, america Last Line: It is your dog NOTE PASSED TO SUPERMAN Poem Text First Line: Sweet jesus, superman Last Line: Than the one I'm from Subject(s): Superman NOTHING ABOUT THE MOMENT Poem Text Last Line: Gods never tell Subject(s): Mythology NOW MY FIRST WIFE NEVER DID COME OUT OF HER ROOM Last Line: Your mama %I like to marry friends Subject(s): Marriage OH ABSOLAM MY SON MY SON Poem Text First Line: Even as I turned myself from you Last Line: What does the lord require Subject(s): Absalom; God; Religion; Theology OH ABSOLAM MY SON MY SON First Line: Even as I turned myself from you Last Line: What does the lord require Subject(s): Absalom; God; Religion OH WHERE HAVE YOU FALLEN Last Line: Where no eye is prepared %to see %and animals rise up to walk %oh lucifer %what have you done OLD MAN RIVER First Line: Everything elegant %but this water Last Line: Don't say nothin' %must know somethin' Subject(s): Old Age; Rivers ON THE BIRTH OF BOMANI Poem Text First Line: We have taken the best leaves Last Line: Art that made you fill your heart Subject(s): African Americans; Love - Cultural Differences; United States - Race Relations; Negroes; American Blacks ON THE BIRTH OF BOMANI First Line: We have taken the best leaves Last Line: May the love in the art that made you %fill your heart Subject(s): African Americans; Love - Cultural Differences; U.s. - Race Relations ON THE DEATH OF ALLEN'S SON First Line: A certain man had seven sons Last Line: And it never again %can be pronounced the same Subject(s): Absence; Death; Fathers And Sons; Heaven ONCE AND FUTURE DEAD Last Line: Weep for their history. We call it %rain Subject(s): Death; Grief; History; Tears ONE IN THE NEXT BED IS DYING ONE YEAR LATER Poem Text First Line: What if, / then, / entering my room Last Line: Of regret? Subject(s): Foxes; Humanity ONE YEAR LATER First Line: What if, %then, %entering my room Last Line: The room, the bed, the poetry, %of regret Subject(s): Foxes; Humanity PALM SUNDAY Poem Text First Line: So here come I Last Line: And collards in the air Subject(s): Palm Sunday; Homecoming; African Americans PALM SUNDAY First Line: So here come I Last Line: Waving beets %and collards in the air Subject(s): Palm Sunday PEEPING TOM First Line: Sometimes at night he dreams back Last Line: A plaid cap, two wide eyes PERHAPS Poem Text First Line: I am going blind Last Line: And I am turning Subject(s): Nothingness; Nihilism; Voids PERHAPS First Line: I am going blind Last Line: Our lives are a circular stair %and I am turning Subject(s): Nothingness PHOTOGRAPH First Line: Universe %keep them turning turning Last Line: Round and round and round PHOTOGRAPH: THE LYNCHING First Line: Is it the cut glass Last Line: Required to view it together %under a gathering [or, the all recording] sky? Subject(s): Lynching; Photography And Photographers PITY THIS POOR ANIMAL Poem Text Last Line: And has no need for fire Subject(s): Racism; Fear; Pity; Blacks PITY THIS POOR ANIMAL Last Line: And walks on grass %and has no need for fire Subject(s): African Americans; Ethnic Groups - United States POEM BEGINNING IN NO AND ENDING IN YES First Line: No %light there was no light at first around the head POEM FOR MY SISTERS First Line: Like he always said Last Line: And holy %'all goodby ain't gone' Subject(s): Poetry And Poets; Sisters POEM IN PRAISE OF MENSTRUATION Poem Text First Line: If there is a river Subject(s): Women; Menstuation POEM IN PRAISE OF MENSTRUATION First Line: If there is a river Last Line: And female and brave POEM ON MY FORTIETH BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER WHO DIED YOUNG Poem Text First Line: Well I have almost come to the place where you fell Last Line: Running like hell and if I fall / I fall Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Death; Mothers & Daughters; Dead, The POEM ON MY FORTIETH BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER WHO DIED YOUNG First Line: Well I have almost come to the place where you fell Last Line: Running like hell and if I fall %I fall Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Death; Mothers And Daughters POEM TO MY UTERUS First Line: You uterus %you have been patient Last Line: Where can you go %without me POET First Line: I beg my bones to be good but Last Line: Moving my skin against the wind and %tap dancing fir my life Subject(s): Poetry And Poets PORK CHOPS Last Line: Oh mammy ca'line %a nigger polack ain't shit Subject(s): Fields; Labor Unions; Plantation Life; Strikes POWELL - MARCH 1991 First Line: This is that dream I wake from Last Line: Is that dream PRAISE SONG First Line: To my aunt blanche %who rolled from grass to driveway Last Line: Accepting it all like children might, %like god PRAYER First Line: Lighten up %why is your hand Last Line: Had to come by %this Subject(s): Faith; God; Prayer; Religion PROPHET First Line: Came to me %with a poor man's tale Last Line: Thou art the man Subject(s): David (d. 962 B.c.); Poverty; Prophets And Prophecy; Wealth QUILTING First Line: Somewhere in the unknown world Last Line: Away from each other forever? RAISING OF LAZARUS First Line: The dead shall rise again Last Line: Stand up %even the dead shall rise Subject(s): Lazarus REMEMBERING THE BIRTH OF LUCIFER First Line: Some will remember Last Line: They restled their three wings %they say and began %to wait and to watch REPLY First Line: He do %she do Last Line: They do %they do REPORT FROM THE ANGEL OF EDEN First Line: I found them there Last Line: What now becomes what now %of paradise RICHARD PENNIMAN Last Line: He is %you bet your dying ass Subject(s): Male Chauvinism; Men; Racism ROBERT Poem Text First Line: Was born obedient / without questions Last Line: The color of his life / was nigger Subject(s): African Americans; Obedience; Slavery; Negroes; American Blacks; Serfs ROBERT First Line: Was born obedient %without questions Last Line: The color of his life %was nigger Subject(s): African Americans; Obedience; Slavery ROOTS Poem Text First Line: Call it our craziness even Last Line: Call it anything Subject(s): Farm Life; Agriculture; Farmers ROOTS First Line: Call it our craziness even Last Line: Whatever you have to, %call it anything Subject(s): Farm Life RUNNING ACROSS TO THE LOT Last Line: Our fathers were dead and %our brothers were dying Subject(s): African Americans - History; Despair; Ethnic Identity; Slavery RUST First Line: Are you saying that iron understands Subject(s): Death; God; Rust; Dead, The RUST First Line: Are you saying that iron understands Last Line: Their ebony patience, their shine? Subject(s): Death; God; Rust SALT Poem Text First Line: He is as salt Last Line: What he needs Subject(s): Grief; Tears; Sorrow; Sadness SALT First Line: He is as salt Last Line: Strain the ocean for and %what he needs Subject(s): Grief; Tears SAM Poem Text First Line: If he could have kept Last Line: What did you do to my father? Subject(s): Ethnic Groups - United States; Fathers & Daughters; Minorities - United States; United States - Race Relations SAM First Line: If he could have kept Last Line: What did you do to my father Subject(s): Ethnic Groups - United States; Fathers And Daughters; Minorities - United States; U.s. - Race Relations SAMSON PREDICTS FROM GAZA THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE Poem Text First Line: It will be your hair Last Line: If you do not they will Subject(s): African Americans; Fire; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Samson; Survival; Negroes; American Blacks SARAH'S PROMISE Poem Text First Line: Who understands better than I Last Line: Spare me my one good boy. Subject(s): African Americans - Children; Bible; Faith; Sons; Belief; Creed SCAR First Line: We will learn %to live together Last Line: And I will not fall off Subject(s): Scars; Skin; Surgery SEPTEMBER'S SONG, A POEM IN SEVEN DAYS Poem Text First Line: Thunder and lightning and our world Last Line: What is not lost / is paradise SHADOWS First Line: In the latter days Last Line: Girl girl wake up. %somebody calling you Subject(s): Memphis, Tennessee; Past; Southern States SHAPESHIFTER POEMS Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: The legend is whispered SHAPESHIFTER POEMS (1) First Line: If the little girl lies SHAPESHIFTER POEMS (2) First Line: The legend is whispered Last Line: Is the poem at the end of the world SHAPESHIFTER POEMS (3) First Line: The poem at the end of the world SHAPESHIFTER POEMS (4) First Line: Who is there to protect her SHE INSISTS ON ME First Line: I offer my %little sister up. No Last Line: Walks past words and %insists on me Subject(s): Poetry And Poets; Women SHE IS DREAMING First Line: Sometimes %the whole world of women Last Line: Will he murder it or %marry it Subject(s): Dreams SHE LIVED Poem Text First Line: After he died Last Line: Deciding to live. And she lived. Subject(s): Hearts; Love - Nature Of; Strength; Survival SHE UNDERSTANDS ME Poem Text First Line: It is all blood and breaking Last Line: The same wound the same blood the same breaking Subject(s): Blood; Slavery; Serfs SHE UNDERSTANDS ME First Line: It is all blood and breaking Last Line: She is always emptying and it is all %the same wound the sam blood the same breaking Subject(s): Blood; Slavery SHE WON'T EVER FORGIVE ME SIGNS Poem Text First Line: When the birds begin to walk Last Line: Almost lifting straining to fly Subject(s): Birds SIGNS First Line: When the birds begin to walk Last Line: Almost lifting straining to fly Subject(s): Birds SISTERS Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: Me and you be sisters Last Line: Got black Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Sisters SISTERS First Line: Me and you be sisters Last Line: Only where you sing %I poet Subject(s): Poetry And Poets; Sisters SLAVESHIPS Poem Text First Line: Loaded like spoons Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Dissenters; Exiles; Jesus Christ; Marginality, Social; Slavery; Estrangement; Outcasts; Serfs SLAVESHIPS First Line: Loaded like spoons Last Line: Can this sin live Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Dissenters; Exiles; Jesus Christ; Marginality, Social; Slavery SLEEPING BEAUTY First Line: When she woke up Last Line: And she blamed him SO CLOSE Last Line: Missed out even more than %all the time Subject(s): African Americans; Togetherness SOLOMON Poem Text First Line: I bless the black Last Line: "for they have made me Subject(s): Solomon (10th Century B.c.) SOLOMON First Line: I bless the black Last Line: For they have made me %wise Subject(s): Solomon (10th Century B.c.) SOME DREAMS HANG IN THE AIR Poem Text Last Line: Hang in the air like smoke / touching everything Subject(s): Dreams SOME DREAMS HANG IN THE AIR Last Line: Hang in the air like smoke %touching everything Subject(s): Dreams; Sleep SON OF JESSE First Line: My father had eight sons Last Line: For my lord my brothers fathers sons Subject(s): Fathers; Sons SON OF MEDGAR Last Line: Medgar isn't %wasn't %won't be Subject(s): Murder; Old Age; Trials SONG Poem Text First Line: Sons of slaves and Last Line: A life of death is the death of life Subject(s): African Americans; Slavery; Negroes; American Blacks; Serfs SONG First Line: Sons of slaves and Last Line: Bricks and sticks and diamonds witness %a life of death is the death of life Subject(s): African Americans; Slavery SONG AT MIDNIGHT Poem Text First Line: Brothers,/this big woman Last Line: If you do not? Subject(s): Women; Beauty; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; Spiritual Life; United States - Race Relations; Women & Religion SONG OF MARY First Line: Somewhere it being yesterday Last Line: I watching my mother. %I smiling an ordinary smile Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible SONORA DESERT POEM Poem Text First Line: The ones who live in the desert Last Line: Of green incredible light Subject(s): Critics & Criticism; Deserts; Food & Eating; Poetry & Poets SONORA DESERT POEM First Line: The ones who live in the desert Last Line: Smile %say nothing at all Subject(s): Critics And Criticism; Deserts; Food And Eating; Poetry And Poets SORROW SONG Poem Text First Line: For the eyes of the children Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness SORROW SONG First Line: For the eyes of the children Last Line: The extraordinary evil in %ordinary men SORROWS Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: Who would believe them winged SPEAKING OF LOSS Poem Text First Line: I began with everything Last Line: Nothing to give you but poems Subject(s): Abandonment; Desertion SPEAKING OF LOSS First Line: I began with everything Last Line: I am left with plain hands and %nothing to give you but poems Subject(s): Abandonment SPRING SONG Poem Text First Line: The green of jesus Subject(s): Christianity; Bible; Catholics; Jesus Christ; Roman Catholics; Catholicism SPRING SONG First Line: The green of jesus Last Line: In the body of jesus and %the future is possible Subject(s): Bible; Catholics; Jesus Christ STILL Last Line: And our points %sharpening good as anybody's Subject(s): African Americans - History; Ethnic Groups - United States STILL STONES AND BONES Poem Text First Line: Here is a country where old men Last Line: "their tongue is somebody else's child Subject(s): Politics & Government; War STONES AND BONES First Line: Here is a country where old men Last Line: Red and white and blue Subject(s): Politics; War STOP First Line: What you are doing %stop Last Line: And again %stop STOPS Poem Text First Line: They keep coming at me Last Line: In a liquor store Subject(s): Traffic STOPS First Line: They keep coming at me Last Line: Even a little old lady %in a liquor store Subject(s): Traffic STORM POEM First Line: The wind is eating Last Line: For you %let the windteeth break Subject(s): Storms; Weather; Wind STORY THUS FAR First Line: So they went out Last Line: Chaos fell away %before her like a cloud %and everywhere seemed light %seemed glorious %seemed very STUDY THE MASTERS Poem Text First Line: Like my aunt timmie Last Line: "and discipline and order and Subject(s): Schools; Students STUDY THE MASTERS First Line: Like my aunt timmie Last Line: And discipline and order and america Subject(s): Schools TELLING OUR STORIES Poem Text First Line: The fox came every evening to my door Last Line: The terrible stories she could tell Subject(s): Foxes; Poetry & Poets TELLING OUR STORIES First Line: The fox came every evening to my door Last Line: The terrible stories she could tell Subject(s): Foxes; Poetry And Poets TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: A MEDITATION Poem Text First Line: Here are the hands Last Line: They belong to the ox Subject(s): Hands; Meditation TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: A MEDITATION First Line: Here are the hands Last Line: They belong to the ox Subject(s): Hands; Meditation TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: CATCHING THE OX Poem Text First Line: I whisper come Last Line: I am cautioned by the hands Subject(s): Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: CATCHING THE OX First Line: I whisper come Last Line: I am cautioned by the hands TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: COMING HOME ON THE OX'S BACK First Line: I mount the ox Last Line: The man claims ox. %I claim the man Subject(s): Animals; Oxen; Travel TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: END OF MEDITATION First Line: What is Last Line: Ox is %what Subject(s): Animals; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: ENTERING THE CITY WITH BLISS-BESTOWING HANDS Poem Text First Line: We have come to the gates Last Line: They tremble as they rise Subject(s): Animals; Cities; Oxen; Urban Life TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: ENTERING THE CITY WITH BLISS-BESTOWING HANDS First Line: We have come to the gates Last Line: They tremble as they rise Subject(s): Animals; Cities; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: HERDING THE OX Poem Text First Line: The hands refuse to gather Last Line: Is not ox Subject(s): Animals; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: HERDING THE OX First Line: The hands refuse to gather Last Line: What can be herded %is no ox.' Subject(s): Animals; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: RETURNING TO THE ORIGIN, BACK TO THE SOURCE Poem Text First Line: What come / when you whisper Last Line: In the folding / of hands Subject(s): Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: RETURNING TO THE ORIGIN, BACK TO THE SOURCE First Line: What comes Last Line: In the folding %of hands TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEARCHING FOR THE OX Poem Text First Line: They have waited my lifetime for this Last Line: It is the summons from the ox Subject(s): Animals; Oxen; Photography & Photographers TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEARCHING FOR THE OX First Line: They have waited my lifetime for this Last Line: It is the summons from the ox Subject(s): Animals; Oxen; Photography And Photographers TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEEING THE OX Poem Text First Line: Not the flesh Last Line: We are coming to the ox Subject(s): Animals; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEEING THE OX First Line: Not the flesh Last Line: We are coming to the ox Subject(s): Animals; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEEING THE TRACES Poem Text First Line: As in tracks Last Line: And what do the hands make of that? Subject(s): Hunting & Hunters TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: SEEING THE TRACES First Line: As in tracks Last Line: And what do the hands make of that? TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: THE OX AND THE MAN BOTH GONE OUT OF SIGHT Poem Text First Line: Man is not ox Last Line: All things are ox Subject(s): Animals; Life; Mankind; Oxen; Human Race TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: THE OX AND THE MAN BOTH GONE OUT OF SIGHT First Line: Man is not ox Last Line: All things are ox Subject(s): Animals; Life; Mankind; Oxen TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: THE OX FORGOTTEN, LEAVING THE MAN ALONE Poem Text First Line: I have been arriving Last Line: Where is ox? Subject(s): Memory; Oxeb TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: THE OX FORGOTTEN, LEAVING THE MAN ALONE First Line: I have been arriving Last Line: Dearly beloved, %where is ox? Subject(s): Animals; Memory; Oxen TESTAMENT First Line: In the beginning %was the word Last Line: Alone %in a room Subject(s): Bible - Old Testament; God THE 1ST Poem Text First Line: What I remember about that day Last Line: Nothing about the emptied family Variant Title(s): Eviction Subject(s): Children; Emptiness; Memory; Childhood THE ASTROLOGER PREDICTS AT MARY'S BIRTH Poem Text First Line: This one lie down on grass Last Line: It will break here eye Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary THE BODIES BROKEN ON Poem Text Last Line: Good news about the earth Subject(s): Slavery THE COMING OF FOX Poem Text First Line: One evening I return Last Line: "into long bright flags Subject(s): Foxes THE COMING OF KALI Poem Text First Line: It is the black god, kali Last Line: You know you know me well Subject(s): African Americans - Women THE DEATH OF CRAZY HORSE Poem Text First Line: In the hills where the hoop Last Line: As I enter the actual world Subject(s): Crazy Horse (oglala Sioux Chief) THE EARTH IS A LIVING THING Poem Text First Line: Is a black shambling bear Last Line: Feel her brushing it clean Subject(s): Earth; Life; World THE GARDEN OF DELIGHT Poem Text First Line: For some/it is stone Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed THE KILLING OF THE TREES Recitation by Author Subject(s): Trees THE LIGHT THAT CAME TO LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Last Line: The truth is furiously knocking Subject(s): Self; Knowledge; Truth THE LOST BABY POEM Poem Text First Line: The time I dropped your almost body down Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women; Death - Children; Death - Babies THE LOST WOMEN Poem Text Recitation by Author First Line: I need to know their names Subject(s): Women THE MAKING OF POEMS Poem Text First Line: The reason why I do it Last Line: And these failures are my job Subject(s): Poetry & Poets THE MEETING AFTER THE SAVIOR GONE Poem Text First Line: What we decided is Last Line: Where you headed Subject(s): Survival; Civil Rights Movement THE MESSAGE OF CRAZY HORSE Poem Text First Line: I would sit in the center of the world, Subject(s): Crazy Horse (oglala Sioux Chief) THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER EMPTIES INTO THE GULF Poem Text First Line: And the gulf enters the sea and so forth Subject(s): Mississippi River; Past; Rivers; Seashore; Time; Beach; Coast; Shore THE PHOTOGRAPH: THE LYNCHING Poem Text First Line: Is it the cut glass Subject(s): Lynching; Photography & Photographers THE POET Poem Text First Line: I beg my bones to be good but Subject(s): Poetry & Poets THE PROPHET First Line: Came to me / with a poor man's tale Subject(s): David (d. 962 B.c.); Poverty; Prophecy & Prophets; Wealth; Riches; Fortunes THE RAISING OF LAZARUS Poem Text First Line: The dead shall rise again Last Line: Even the dead shall rise Subject(s): Lazarus THE ROUGH WEIGHT OF IT Poem Text Last Line: Gathered in sorrow or joy Subject(s): Love - Erotic THE SON OF MEDGAR / WILL SOON BE / OLDER THAN MEDGAR Subject(s): Evers, Medgar (1925-1963) THE STORY THE SHEPHERD TELLS THE SHEEP Recitation by Author Subject(s): Shepherds & Shepherdesses THE THIRTY-EIGHTH YEAR Poem Text Last Line: I had not expected to be an ordinary woman Subject(s): African Americans – Women; Mothers & Daughters; Middle Age THE TIMES Poem Text First Line: It is hard to remain human on a day Subject(s): Children; Childhood THE WAY IT WAS Poem Text First Line: I walked out quietly Last Line: Trying to be white Subject(s): African Americans – Women; Identity THE WHITE BOY Poem Text First Line: Like a man overboard Subject(s): Boys THE WOMEN YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO Poem Text First Line: The edge / of this Last Line: Your burning blood, your dancing tongue Subject(s): African Americans – Women; Negroes; American Blacks THE WOMEN YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO First Line: Wearing that same black dress Last Line: Your burning blood, your dancing tongue. Subject(s): Dreams; Women; Nightmares THE YETI POET RETURNS TO HIS VILLAGE TO TELL HIS STORY First Line: ...Found myself wondering Last Line: What we are Subject(s): Story-telling THEL First Line: Was my first landscape Last Line: Of birds. Subject(s): Spiritual Life; Women & Religion THEM AND US First Line: Something in their psyche insists on elvis Last Line: Death and elvis, but watching for marvin gaye. Subject(s): Death; Fame; History; Presley, Elvis (1937-1977); Dead, The; Reputation; Historians THERE First Line: There in the homelands THERE IS A GIRL INSIDE Poem Text Subject(s): Old Age THERE IS A GIRL INSIDE Last Line: And the woods will be wild %with the damn wonder of it Subject(s): African Americans - Children; Girls; Innocence THIRTY-EIGHTH YEAR Last Line: I had expected more than this. %I had not expected to be %anordinary woman Subject(s): Absence; African Americans - Women; Aging; Mothers And Daughters THIS First Line: You were right, the poet mother Last Line: Of writing the poem %about this THIS BELIEF THIS IS THE TALE THIS MORNING Last Line: Survive %survive Subject(s): African Americans - Children THOSE BOYS THAT RAN TOGETHER Poem Text Last Line: Don't it make you want to cry Subject(s): African Americans – Children; Boys; Conduct Of Life THOSE BOYS THAT RAN TOGETHER Last Line: We have some fine black boys %don't it make you want to cry? Subject(s): African Americans - Children THURSDAY EVENING BEDTIME Poem Text First Line: Afraid of the dark / is afraid of mom Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives THURSDAY EVENING BEDTIME First Line: Afraid of the dark %is afraid of mom Last Line: Says ebony %everett %anderson Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life TIMES First Line: It is hard to remain human on a day Last Line: These too are your children -- this too is your child Subject(s): Children TO A DARK MOSES Poem Text First Line: You are the one Subject(s): African Americans; Moses; Negroes; American Blacks TO A DARK MOSES First Line: You are the one Last Line: I am burning %I am not consumed Subject(s): African Americans; Moses TO BOBBY SEALE Poem Text First Line: Feel free Last Line: Was made for / men Subject(s): African Americans; Seale, Bobby (b. 1936); Negroes; American Blacks TO BOBBY SEALE First Line: Feel free Last Line: Jail wasn't made %for dogs, %was made for %men Subject(s): African Americans; Seale, Bobby (b. 1936) TO JOAN First Line: Joan %did you never hear Last Line: Did you not then sigh %my voices my voices of course? Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women TO MERLE First Line: Say skinny mannysided tall on the ball Last Line: Let me call you sister, sister, %I been waiting for you Subject(s): Sisters; Women TO MICHAL Poem Text First Line: Moving and moaning / under our coverings Subject(s): Bible; Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives TO MICHAL First Line: Moving and moaning %under our coverings Last Line: But michal from myself Subject(s): Bible; Marriage TO MS. ANN Poem Text First Line: I will have to forget Subject(s): Farm Life; Agriculture; Farmers TO MS. ANN First Line: I will have to forget Last Line: And it has only been forever and %I will have to forget your face Subject(s): Farm Life TO MY FRIEND, JERINA First Line: Listen, %when I found there was no safety Last Line: Hands she can trust TO MY LAST PERIOD First Line: Well girl, goodbye Last Line: Beautiful? Wasn't she beautiful? TO THE UNBORN AND WAITING CHILDREN Poem Text First Line: I went into my mother as Last Line: You enter at your own risk Subject(s): Birds; Cormorants TO THE UNBORN AND WAITING CHILDREN First Line: I went into my mother as Last Line: The bodies all may open wide but %you enter at your own risk Subject(s): Birds; Cormorants TO THELMA WHO WORRIED BECAUSE I COULDN'T COOK First Line: Because no man would taste you Last Line: I am a woman and %I know what to do Subject(s): Cooking And Cooks; Food And Eating; Hunger; Women TURNING Poem Text First Line: Turning into my own Last Line: Only here. Only now Subject(s): Freedom; Liberty TURNING First Line: Turning into my own Last Line: Turning at last %on a stem like a black fruit %in my own season %at last Subject(s): Freedom TYRONE (1) First Line: On this day %the buffalo soldiers Last Line: Will sink the city %seek the city Subject(s): Cities TYRONE (2) First Line: The spirit of the buffalo soldiers Last Line: We turning each other on %in this damn war Subject(s): Military; Soldiers; War TYRONE (3) First Line: The governor has sent out Last Line: And if we buffalo soldiers was sports fans %we sure would cheer Subject(s): Baseball; Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972); Sports TYRONE (4) First Line: We made it through the swamps Last Line: Tyrone %is Subject(s): Ethnic Groups - United States; U.s. - Race Relations UNTITLED Poem Text First Line: Surely I am able to write poems Last Line: Another poem? Subject(s): Love - Nature Of; Poetry & Poets VISIT TO GETTYSBURG First Line: I will %touch stone Last Line: And touch stone %for this touchstone Subject(s): American Civil War; Blood; Gettysburg Campaign (1863); U.s. - History; War WALNUT GROVE Recitation by Author Subject(s): Plantations; Slavery; Serfs WAY IT WAS Last Line: New things was coming %you Subject(s): African Americans; Buffalo (city), New York; Labor And Laborers WAY IT WAS First Line: Mornings %I got up early Last Line: Not touching %trying to be white Subject(s): African Americans - Women WHAT COMES AFTER THIS First Line: Water earth fire air Last Line: After this -- whether it is air %or it is nothing Subject(s): Air; Earth; Fire; Future; Introspection; Water WHAT DID SHE KNOW, WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT Poem Text First Line: In the evenings / what it was the soft tap tap Last Line: When did she know it Subject(s): Girls; Mothers; Sex WHAT DID SHE KNOW, WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT First Line: In the evenings %what it was the soft tap tap Last Line: When did she know it Subject(s): Girls; Mothers; Sex WHAT HAUNTS HIM Recitation by Author WHAT I THINK WHEN I RIDE THE TRAIN First Line: Maybe my father %made these couplers Last Line: In the whole white world WHAT MANNER OF MAN First Line: If I am not singing to myself Last Line: Bloody skull in one hand, harp in the other Subject(s): Humanity; Mankind; Singing And Singers WHAT SPELLS RACCOON TO ME Last Line: I can no more change my references %than they can theirs WHAT THE MIRROR SAID Poem Text First Line: Listen, / you a wonder Last Line: Damn / body! Subject(s): Self; Women WHAT THE MIRROR SAID First Line: Listen, %you a wonder Last Line: Damn %body! Subject(s): Self; Women WHISPERED TO LUCIFER First Line: Lucifer six-finger %where have you gone to Last Line: Father's business %less radiant %less sure WHITE BOY First Line: Like a man overboard Last Line: Where oh where is the %saving thing Subject(s): Boys WHITE LADY Poem Text First Line: Wants my son Last Line: To own our own at last Variant Title(s): White Lady; Street Name For Cocaine Subject(s): Drugs & Drug Abuse; Narcotics; Opium; Cocaine; Crack; Heroin WHITE LADY First Line: Wants my son Last Line: What do we have to owe %to own our own at last Variant Title(s): White Lady; Street Name For Cocain Subject(s): Drugs And Drug Abuse WHY SOME PEOPLE BE MAD AT ME SOMETIMES First Line: They ask me to remember Last Line: And I keep on remembering %mine WIFE Poem Text First Line: We are some of us Last Line: We swim like a fish for his brother Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives WIFE First Line: We are some of us Last Line: If he does %we swim like a fish for his brother Subject(s): Marriage WILD BLESSINGS First Line: Licked in the palm of my hand Last Line: The wild one, maybe not WILLIE B (1) First Line: Mama say %I got no business out here Last Line: A white man %the mother fucker Subject(s): African Americans; U.s. - Race Relations WILLIE B (2) First Line: Why I would bring a wagon into battle Last Line: And I'm gone get her that tv %out of old steinhart's store Subject(s): Soldiers; War WILLIE B (3) First Line: Mama say %he was a black hero Last Line: But I never heard of it %being not born till 1955 Subject(s): African Americans; Heroism WILLIE B (4) First Line: I'm the one %what burned down the dew drop inn Last Line: Willie b %son Subject(s): U.s. - Race Relations WINNIE SONG First Line: A dark wind is blowing WISE: HAVING THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND ADOPT THE BEST Poem Text First Line: All the best minds Last Line: On the corner Subject(s): Wisdom WISE: HAVING THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND ADOPT THE BEST First Line: All the best minds Last Line: All the wise men %on the corner Subject(s): Wisdom WISHES FOR SONS Poem Text First Line: I wish them cramps Subject(s): Sons WISHES FOR SONS First Line: I wish them cramps Last Line: Then bring them to gynecologists %not unlike themselves WOMAN IN THE CAMP First Line: They murdered WON'T YOU CELEBRATE WITH ME Poem Text Recitation by Author Last Line: And has failed Subject(s): African American – Women; Racism; Perseverance [IF MAMA / COULD SEE] Poem Text Subject(s): Mothers; Family Life; Relatives |
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