won't you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kin...

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 one hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.- Lucille Clifton (June 27 1936 - February 13 2010)