Lucille Clifton

I just found out that one of my favorite poets, Lucille Clifton, died earlier this year. I went to one of her readings back in 2001 and found her to be remarkably down to earth. She signed my copy of Blessing the Boats: "For Leslie ~ Joy!" I feel like I just got punched in the gut. Here's one of her poems that I love, and you'll see it's quite appropriate.

dying


i saw a small moon rise
from the breast of a woman
lying in a hospital hall
and I saw that the moon was me
and I saw that the punctured bag
of a woman body was me
and i saw you sad there in the lobby
waiting to visit and I wanted
to sing to you
go home
i am waiting for you there


—Lucille Clifton