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Thursday, October 12, 2006

For the Woman Out There Who Might Be Contemplating a Great Change

it was a dream
by Lucille clifton

in which my greater self
rose up before me
accusing me of my life
with her extra finger
whirling in a gyre of rage
at what my days had come to
what,
i pleaded with her, could i do,
oh what could i have done?
and she twisted her wild hair
and sparked her wild eyes
and screamed as long as
i could hear her
This. This. This.

4 comments:

  1. Theresa,

    I read this poem in college and found it very powerful. I still still moves me. I find the line "accusing me of my life" particularly fiery.

    I can scarcely imagine a better call to change.

    Erin

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  2. I've never read this before, but oh, do I know it. How absolutely perfect.

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  3. Oh, Theresa, I have been gone too long. This poem is magnificent! Thank you for posting it. Extremely a propos for me - and for many of us, I suspect!

    Vicky

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  4. Anonymous7:30 AM

    For me, the poem describes that space in a depressive episode when the individual is at a point of choice. There is a recognition of the painful depths that are available and equally, a rage against such self-flagellation.
    Very striking!
    V

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