The passage I chose to explicate was "Homage to my hips" by Lucille Clifton. Her poem can be found on page 439.
"They don't fit into little
petty places, these hips
are free hips.
they don't like to be held back." (4-7)
Clifton's persona for this poem is a woman, more specifically an African-American woman. This woman is talking about her hips, but even deeper than that, she is talking about her freedom as a black woman. Her tone is of a prideful woman who is not going to take anything negative from anybody. She describes to the reader that "they don't like to be held back" ("Homage to my hips" 7). This means that no one of a certain race should be held back. They deserve equal opportunity. I believe the voice in this poem is the voice of the poet, Lucille Clifton. She is an African-American woman herself, and I can see a great deal of similarities as to the way she might have been treated as a child, or even still as an adult. Clifton's poem does not show any sign of rhyme scheme.
2 comments:
I agree completely. I think it should be noted that although many of the things listed early in the poem about the speaker's hips might be seen as something to be ashamed about, she in fact becomes very proud of their imperfections and there is a clear divide between lines 6 and 7 into an area of distinct pride. From line 8 on the speaker has taken a stance and leaves no doubt as to the impact her imperfect hips have on herself and others.
I too agree with the fact the author is showing a sense of pride in her hips and her overall body image. She comments on how they could "put a spell on a man" (Clifton). This deflects the untrue media image that thin is attractive, and rather a feminine body shape with curves and self-confidence is, which is moreso the case. Also, as a side note, this poem was written in the early 1990's, when extremely thin models such as Kate Moss came into media attention, and the 'heroin chique' look, a look similar to and often the affects on anorexica, were very popular in the fashion world, even more so than today. This poem brings the reader back to the reality that having curves, and a good self-image, is more important than following any fashion trend or phase could be.
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