won't you celebrate with me

By Lucille Clifton 1936–2010 Lucille Clifton

what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.

born in babylon

both nonwhite and woman

what did i see to be except myself?

i made it up

here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight

my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed.

Source: Book of Light (Copper Canyon Press, 1993)