[stylist] Lucille Clifton's poem Miss Rosie

[Lynda Lambert]

Yes, I taught the course, "African American Art and Culture at Geneva 
College, when I was a professor there for many years. It was a course for 
English majors who were seniors - a 400 level course.  I taught Clifton's 
work every semester. I have written extensively about African American 
writers and artists. My work published and I was a Pennsylvania Scholar  for 
the PA Humanities Council and in that capacity lectured
across the state and at conferences on this topic.  Poetry is my "thing."

My advice is that you look at more than one poem by Clifton (or any other 
poet you choose).  You'll need to  get a view of how the writer  thinks and 
you need to read a ton of work by any particular poet to get this 
information.
Think about why the author chose to write this piece and you have to know a 
lot to figure this out. You will need to use the poet's words as your 
primary source of information.  What else is the poet speaking about in 
other works? The, too, you need to do a ton of research on the work of 
African American writers in general.

Explore culture, world view, historical context, themes,  Ask why this 
literature is distinctly DIFFERENT than literature written by a poet of a 
different cultural background - it IS!

You  mentioned writing about Frost, this is quite a departure and an 
enormous stretch if you plan to work with both poets.  I fully agree with 
the information that Chris Keul sent to you - that is the place to begin 
thinking about how you will approach this project.  I think you have to look 
at the bigger picture and historical context first, for whatever you decide 
to work with.  I can provide you with additional information if you want me 
to do that - this is my expertise.  But, you need to do the work of research 
first.  Glad to help if needed. Hope this helps.
Lynda McKinney Lambert

www.lyndalambert.com
www.llambert363.wordpress.com



-----Original Message----- 
From: Jennifer Applegate via stylist
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jennifer Applegate
Subject: [stylist] Lucille Clifton's poem Miss Rosie

Hello all,

I pasted below Lucille Clifton's poem, "Miss Rosie." Has anyone read this
poem before? What are your thoughts/interpretation of it?



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

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