Blessing the Boats

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2000

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Related Poems

“homage to my hips” by Lucille Clifton (1980)

This is one of Clifton’s most emblematic poems. It upholds the belief that “Black is beautiful,” a phrase often used within the Black Arts Movement. While she praises her own hips, the poem also affirms not only physical beauty but also their power and freedom, a theme that is especially prescient for African American women continuing to sue for equality and recognition.

“wishes for my sons” by Lucille Clifton (1987)

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“Lucille Clifton’s Cancer Poems” by betterlivingthroughbeowulf (2017)

This blog post catalogues several of Lucille Clifton’s poems that deal directly with cancer and her treatment. Robin Bates discusses the backstory behind each poem and how each poem gives insight into Clifton’s experiences. She speculates that some of the poems were influenced by Clifton’s friend and colleague Mary Oliver and how they both influenced the way the other wrote about mortality.

Further Literary Resources

Carol Kizer and Lucille Clifton Talk Writing (1985)

This is part of HoCoPoLitSo's "The Writing Life” from 1985. In this event Pulitzer Prize winner Carol Kizer and Lucille Clifton interview one another and discuss the writing life, specifically how they’ve overcome the restrictions placed on female authors. Here Clifton discusses her husband Fred’s belief that he would return to his “true identity” after death. This gives insight into Clifton’s deeper, mystical spiritual beliefs.

“A Commemoration of the Life and Poetry of Lucille Clifton” by Michael Glaser

This is a commemorative reading in honor of Lucille Clifton shortly after her death. Her editor, friend, and colleague Michael Glaser reads some of her poems, including “blessing the boats.” He provides context, noting it was inspired and influenced by the boat races she would have seen from her office at St. Mary’s college.