Lucille Clifton, 1936 - 2010 R.I.P.

I just learned of the death of poet Lucille Clifton earlier today. Her death is being attributed to an infection following surgery. She was 73; the same age as my mother when she died. Twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, twice serving as poet laureate of the state of Maryland, winner of the National Book Award in 2001, and first African American woman to receive the Ruth Lilly Prize for lifetime achievement from the Poetry Foundation, she was a poet whom I admired greatly.

BLESSING THE BOATS

(at St. Mary's)

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

~ Lucille Clifton, 1936 - 2010


Good mother, may "that" be all you dreamed it would, and may your soul be bathed in the light of all generous goodness in perpetuity.