Lucille Clifton (June 27, 1936 – February 13, 2010) is a hidden gem of American poetry. In some respects in my opinion she’s on par with Gil-Scot Heron as an inspiration for what will become hip-hop. Her material celebrated African-American womanhood and the beauty of the female form.

Homage to My Hips

these hips are big hips.
they need space to
move around in.
they don’t fit into little
petty places. these hips
are free hips.
they don’t like to be held back.
these hips have never been enslaved,
they go where they want to go
they do what they want to do.
these hips are mighty hips.
these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top