One great poem to read today: Lucille Clifton’s “homage to my hips”
This April marks the 30th iteration of National Poetry Month, which was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. To celebrate, the Literary Hub staff will be recommending one great poem to read every (work) day of the month. We make no claim (except when we do) that these poems are the “best” poems in any category; they are simply poems we love. The only other thing they all have in common is that they are available to read for free online, so you can enjoy them along with us. The internet is still good for some things, after all. Today we recommend:
Lucille Clifton’s “homage to my hips”
For the last entry in our month-long recommendation series, who better than the wise, cheeky Lucille Clifton, whose homage to her hips becomes an homage to womanhood, to age, to freedom, and to self-love. This poem, somehow, is both sexy and also a little bit Seussian (maybe it’s parent brain but I can’t help but hear these hips are big hips you will like them a lot). It is playful and serious. It is small and personal, and also the story of everyone. You can click the link below to read it, but instead you should just watch Clifton read it herself. When you do, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Emily Temple
Emily Temple is the managing editor at Lit Hub. Her first novel, The Lightness, was published by William Morrow/HarperCollins in June 2020. You can buy it here.
