Myra here.
Thank you to Becky at Sloth Reads for hosting this week.
I follow the Academy of American Poets on Facebook, and I am grateful that they often share poems that resonate with me. This invitation for a celebration from “both nonwhite and woman” is the perfect anthem for our annual reading theme on #SurvivalStories2021 – who else would articulate it better than Lucille Clifton (Amazon | Book Depository)?
Gathering Books 
Wow, that is such an impactful and lovely poem! It’s surprising but powerful that the speaker seems to harbor no grudge toward the audience for the pain she’s dealt with and instead simply wants to be joined in a celebration of her success. I had never read this poem before, so I appreciate you sharing it! In terms of something I wish to celebrate this week, it’s sort of random, but I wish to celebrate how good Billie Eilish’s new album of music is—it came out today, and I’ve already listened to the whole thing! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Wow! I love this poem. I grew up in a bit of a dysfunctional home and, for me, this poem speaks about breaking those generational curses. So powerful. Thank you for sharing.
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Wow, Lucille Clifton’s poem is so powerful–“everyday / something has tried to kill me / and has failed.” Thank you for sharing it. Today I’m celebrating salmon for dinner and the 1/6 Commission in the U.S. that is investigating the insurrection we had there.
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Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s very powerful. I’ve heard those last lines before, and really love “here on this bridge/between starshine and clay.” I’m hoping to be reading some more Lucille Clifton soon, too! I just checked out “How to Carry Water” from the library.
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Oh my heavens–Lucille is a favorite of mine and yet I feel like I’ve never seen this poem. Or maybe I have eyes to see better now. Thank you for this revelation, Myra. Today I’m celebrating 30 years in a relationship that had no model, that we had to make up. I’m proud of this small survival.
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Thanks for this new-to-me Lucille Clifton poem! I LOVE those last three lines!
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This is a wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing this.
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