Lucille Clifton (1936-2010)

Lucille Clifton

 

blessing the boats

 

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

 

I was introduced to the poetry of Lucille Clifton, including her signature Homage to My Hips, when she came to read as part of Quincy Troupe’s Artists on the Cutting Edge Series, which took place in San Diego (1993-2002).  

Having moved to San Diego nearly 20 years ago from the Bay Area and before that, New York, I was dismayed at what I perceived as the lack of “culture” in southern California.   Troupe’s vibrant reading and performance series introduced me to many remarkable poets, writers and musicians and gave me hope for the literary and artistic life here.

Clifton’s reading is not available on video, but many of the other performances are.  Click on this UCTV link and scroll down the list to see performances by Derek Walcott, Rita Dove, John Ashbery, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Charles McPherson and a very funny piece on the Illinois State Fair by David Foster Wallace. 

Troupe’s departure from San Diego was a great loss to this city.  Clifton’s passing is a loss for us all.