| Author | Message | ||
| Carin
Intermediate Member Username: carin Post Number: 599 Registered: 10-2003 |
Former Poet Laureate of Maryland, came from Buffalo (my hometown), lived in Columbia, MD (the place I grew up)....a wonderful life, poet, professor, teacher, Pulitzer nominee.... Sad to report that she passed away today.  Bummmmmed out. She was a professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and her "blessing the boats (at St. Mary's)" is painted on the wall of their Great Room's open stairwell. blessing the boats (at St. Mary’s) by Lucille Clifton Quilting: Poems 1987-1990 may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence sail through this to that In Memoriam, Mrs. Clifton.  http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/955670.html "Ironing rocks into petals, we manipulate weak language" ~ D.D. | ||
| Christopher T George
Senior Member Username: chrisgeorge Post Number: 8756 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Carin Thank you so much for this news, I mourn her passing as fellow Marylander and a fellow poet, and I honor her as a great African American lady. RIP, Mrs Clifton.  Chris Editor, Desert Moon Review http://www.thedesertmoonreview.com Co-Editor, Loch Raven Review http://www.lochravenreview.net http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/ | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 36262 Registered: 11-1998 |
What tragic news, Carin. steve and I had the honor of hearing Ms. Clifton speak only about a year ago when she came to Portland. She was so magnetic and welcoming. You couldn't help feeling that you'd gone to see her in her home and that she was speaking directly to you. That woman had not a bit of artifice to her. This is just one of the many poems of Ms. Clifton's that I hold near and dear: Homage to My Hips by Lucille Clifton these hips are big hips. they need space to move around in. they don't fit into little petty places. these hips are free hips. they don't like to be held back. these hips have never been enslaved, they go where they want to go they do what they want to do. these hips are mighty hips. these hips are magic hips. i have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top. We all convinced her to perform it that night. She said it was her most often requested, but she didn't feel it was her best. She asked, "Wouldn't you all rather hear something else?" We all yelled, "No!" She said, "Okay then," and chuckled. You could have heard a pin drop in that auditorium during the delivery. Then there was a standing ovation and thunderous applause. I will miss her. With Love and Sorrow, M | ||
| Hephaestes
Advanced Member Username: hephaestes Post Number: 1133 Registered: 12-2006 |
At the University of Maryland, CP, we studied several of her books. I've heard her read. I'll never forget her. I grew up in Steven's Forest (Columbia, MD). Went to Oakland Mills High School. Maryland never fully leaves the blood. | ||
| Carin
Intermediate Member Username: carin Post Number: 600 Registered: 10-2003 |
M- I love that one!!! Heph - Clemens Crossing/AHS grad here. You're right, MD is a great place, and it and the rest of the world will certainly miss her. *hugs to all* "Ironing rocks into petals, we manipulate weak language" ~ D.D. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11843 Registered: 07-2002 |
I heard her read at Dodge. So sad to hear of her passing. She had the whole auditorium eating out of her hand. Once in a Blue Muse Blog Poetry Chapbook: "Chop Wood, Carry Water" | ||
| Ann Metlay
Senior Member Username: wordsrworthy Post Number: 8490 Registered: 08-2007 |
Not only did she write for adults, but wonderful books for children. I had dinner with her at an English teachers' convention. She will be missed. Ann | ||
| brenda morisse
Senior Member Username: moritric Post Number: 3989 Registered: 04-2007 |
Very sad | ||
| bel_canto
Valued Member Username: bel_canto Post Number: 198 Registered: 06-2006 |
Hadn't heard this sad news. Somehow, I thought she'd live forever. Met her as an undergraduate way back when and she signed 'Next' for me, bidding me Joy! in the most graceful calligraphy. I felt she looked straight through all the tentative, fearful barriers I erect and saw exactly who I am. 'Next' was dedicated to her late husband and contained several poems about him. Here's one: "i'm going back to my true identity" fjc 11/84 i was ready to return to my rightful name. i saw it hovering near in blazoned script and, passing through fire, i claimed it. here is a box of stars for my living wife. tell her to scatter them pronouncing no name. tell her there is no deathless name a body can pronounce. And here are part one and part six of another poem in Next: in white america 1. i come to read them poems i come to read them poems, a fancy trick i do like juggling with balls of light. i stand, a dark spinner, in the grange hall, in the library, in the smaller conference room, and toss and catch as if by magic, my eyes bright, my mouth smiling, my singed hands burning. 6. it is late it is late in white america. i stand in the light of the 7-11 looking out toward the church and for a moment only i feel the reverberation of myself in white america a black cat in the belfry hanging and ringing Yes. A black cat in the belfry, hanging and ringing. May it always be so, Lucille. (Message edited by bel_canto on February 14, 2010) | ||
| MV
Senior Member Username: michaelv Post Number: 1224 Registered: 11-2003 |
I had no idea until now, believe it or not: I read her hip poem today as part of my Valentine's docent tour at the museum in my home-metro. I paired it up with a photo, "The Boss" by P.H. Polk. I then recommended to the visitors to go to poets.org to hear her read her poem like no one else can: http://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15599 Carin, I appreciate the notice. Sincerely, Michael (MV) | ||
| Tina Hoffman
Senior Member Username: tina_hoffman Post Number: 4992 Registered: 05-2007 |
Sad news indeed, a wonderful poet and woman, who I'm sure is in a better place. "Hips" is one of my favorites too, and the first poem I'd ever read by her. Thanks for posting this, and others for the additional links. Best regards, Tina | ||
| Borska
New member Username: borska Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2010 |
I am so sorry to read this. I am familiar with her work and had not heard of her passing. |
