me and you be sisters.
we be the same.

me and you
coming from the same place.

me and you
be greasing our legs
touching up our edges.

me and you
be scared of rats
be stepping on roaches.

me and you
come running high down purdy street one time
and mama laugh and shake her head at
me and you.

me and you
got babies
got thirty-five
got black
let our hair go back
be loving ourselves
be loving ourselves
be sisters.

only where you sing,
I poet.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Lucille Clifton's poem sisters

1 Comment

  1. Gunnar Bengtsson says:

    Powerful stuff about the connection between siblings. I like the way Lucille Clifton expresses a deep insight using simple words and grammar, without losing any feeling. Perhaps the simplicity of language is what makes the poem so striking.

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