Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Roots" by Lucille Clifton is an evocative celebration of resilience, life force, and the unquenchable spirit inherent in human nature and, by extension, in the natural world. Clifton crafts a narrative that transcends the mere act of survival, delving into the essence of what it means to live, to grow, and to transform, even in the face of adversity or death. This poem is a testament to the indomitable will to persist, a characteristic that Clifton sees as an intrinsic part of the human condition, likened to the deep, unseen, yet foundational roots that sustain life.

The poem opens with an invitation to label the instinctual drive towards life and growth as "our craziness," immediately challenging societal norms and expectations about what is considered rational or sane. Clifton suggests that there is an inherent wildness or madness in the natural inclination to continue, to push through the soil of adversity, to reach towards the light. This "craziness" is not a derogation but a celebration of the life force that defies easy explanation or containment.

Clifton's use of the metaphor of folding death's hand into "greens" encapsulates the transformative power of this life force. Even in the grasp of death, there is a potential for new life, for growth, and for continuation in another form. This image speaks to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, emphasizing the natural progression and resilience that characterizes existence. The act of making music from these "greens" is a powerful affirmation of life's beauty and the human capacity to create and find joy, even from the depths of despair or the end of life.

The poem shifts to explore the theme of wildness, suggesting that being "lost from the field / of flowers" is not an end but a beginning. To become "a field of flowers" is to embrace a collective identity, to merge with the natural world in its myriad forms and expressions. This imagery reflects a deep connection to the earth and an understanding of human life as part of a larger, interconnected ecosystem. It's a call to recognize and honor the wild, untamed aspects of our nature that connect us to the broader tapestry of life.

Clifton concludes by reiterating the call to acknowledge "our craziness / our wildness" as "our roots." This connection to "the light in us" and "the light of us" is a profound acknowledgment of the spiritual and life-affirming energy that drives existence. The repetition of "it is the light" serves to underscore the elemental and universal nature of this force, elevating it beyond the personal to the cosmic. Clifton urges the reader to name this indefinable essence whatever they need to, recognizing that it is beyond words, beyond categorization—it is the very foundation of life itself.

"Roots" is a lyrical ode to the complexity and beauty of life, an acknowledgment of the unseen forces that sustain and propel us forward. Through her characteristic use of vivid imagery and profound insight, Lucille Clifton celebrates the resilience, creativity, and interconnectedness that define the human experience. This poem invites us to see beyond the surface, to honor our deepest instincts and connections, and to recognize in them the universal dance of life, death, and rebirth.

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