'A matter of language, and life'

 

“Poetryis a matter of life, not just a matter of language.” –Lucille Clifton
Born near Buffalo, NY, on June 27, 1936 Clifton studied and lived in Washington, DC, beforesettling in her adopted Maryland where from 1979–1985 she was the state’s PoetLaureate. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her AfricanAmerican heritage and feminist themes as well as daily life in the city and the home.
Her writing began as a hobby, but when a friend who also was a friendof the poet Langston Hughes passed along some of her work to him, he encouragedher to stop her job and concentrate on writing. 
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    “People wish to be poets more than they wishto write poetry, and that’s a mistake,” she said.  “One should wish to celebrate more than onewishes to be celebrated.”  For Saturday's Poem, here is Clifton's,


            Iam accused 

i am accused of tending to the past
as if i made it,
as if i sculpted it
with my own hands. i did not.
this past was waiting for me
when i came,
a monstrous unnamed baby,
and i with my mother's itch
took it to breast
and named it
History.
she is more human now,
learning languages everyday,
remembering faces, names and dates.
when she is strong enough to travel
on her own, beware, she will.

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