wishes for sons

“homage to my hips” by Lucille Clifton (1987)

Lucille Clifton’s poem “homage to my hips” appears in her fifth collection of poetry, Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir: 1969-1980 (1987). “homage to my hips” is a celebration of the female body, specifically focusing on the speaker’s large hips. Clifton subverts patriarchal beauty standards in this poem by praising the “fat,” feminine form, demanding that every female body take up as much space as possible within society. Clifton’s use of anaphora (see: Literary Devices) and lack of capitalization within both the title and body of the poem serve the same purpose as that within “wishes for sons.” When compared to “wishes for sons,” the poem “homage to my hips” exposes how multifaceted femininity is: It is painful and can include bloodshed, but it is simultaneously beautiful, sensual, and unencumbered.

“won’t you celebrate with me” by Lucille Clifton (1993)

“won’t you celebrate with me” was published in Clifton’s ninth collection of poetry, The Book of Light (1993). Clifton addresses racism and gender inequality in the same succinct yet powerful manner as seen in “wishes for sons.” “won’t you celebrate with me” details every obstacle the speaker has overcome in order to find her true self.