“won’t you celebrate with me”
won’t you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
– Lucille Clifton
Clifton’s “won’t you celebrate with me” is probably one of the best poems in the world. Any trauma from which you escape, intact, is reason enough.
what if, instead of moaning, we
Caught up as we get
Embracing our “busy”
Life tends to be blurred…
Entirely dizzy we spin on our axis;
Bewailing each turn
Regretting our choices –
A foolish return on time better invested
Tenaciously climbing the hill not yet crested
Egregious complaints of “still not enough time”
Dissolve in the face of this changed paradigm.
A great reminder!!
“this bridge between
starshine and clay,”
Ahhh….
I love both of these poems! First time reading them and unfamiliar with author. Thanks for posting them.
YES. Thank you!