Lucille Clifton

I listen to WNYC all the time. I listen on-line via Itunes Radio. During the day I listen to FM (93.9) and in the evening, when the FM station plays classical music I switch to AM (820). I was listening to News and Notes this evening when the host, Farai Chideya, introduced me to the amazing poet, Lucille Clifton. This is my new favorite poem:

wishes for 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.


Let me hear an Amen! Yes, this is my new favorite poem.