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Lucille Clifton
Lucille Clifton
Lucille Clifton was born in Depew, New York, on June 27, 1936....
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miss rosie

 
by Lucille Clifton

when I watch you 
wrapped up like garbage 
sitting, surrounded by the smell 
of too old potato peels 
or
when I watch you 
in your old man's shoes 
with the little toe cut out 
sitting, waiting for your mind 
like next week's grocery 
I say
when I watch you
you wet brown bag of a woman 
who used to be the best looking gal in Georgia
used to be called the Georgia Rose
I stand up
through your destruction
I stand up






Copyright ©1987 by Lucille Clifton. Reprinted from Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980 with the permission of BOA Editions, Ltd., 260 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14604.
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