Homage to Someone Hip...

Some sons.

i wish them cramps.

i wish them a strange town

and the last tampon.

I wish them no 7-11.

i wish them one week early

and wearing a white skirt.

i wish them one week late.

later i wish them hot flashes

and clots like you

wouldn't believe. let the

flashes come when they

meet someone special.

let the clots come

when they want to.

let them think they have accepted

arrogance in the universe,

then bring them to gynecologists

not unlike themselves.

...
"Wishes for Sons" by Lucille Clifton

What a wonderful testament to literacy it is to be able to have a "favorite poet," especially in these days of Jersey Shore and Sean Hannity, but Lucille Clifton, who passed away yesterday, was one of my favorite poets.  She was not afraid to talk about her hips or tampons or racism or blessings.  Thank you, Lucille, for bringing it home.

Keep writing,

Maureen