Come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and has failed.
Lucille CliftonRead
I am running into a new year and the old years blow back like a wind that I catch in my hair like strong fingers like all my old promises and it will be hard to let go of what I said to myself about myself when I was sixteen and twenty-six and thirty-six but I am running into a new year and I beg what i love and I leave to forgive me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the struggles of letting go of past promises and the desire for forgiveness as a new year begins.
Lucille Clifton's quote captures the emotional complexity of welcoming a new year while grappling with the weight of past promises and self-identity at various life stages. The imagery of running into the new year juxtaposes the lingering presence of old commitments and reflections, highlighting a deep yearning for both personal growth and the understanding of one's evolving self. By asking for forgiveness, Clifton illustrates a poignant acknowledgment of human fallibility and the hope embedded in new beginnings.
Themes
New YearForgivenessChangePromisesIdentityGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
During a New Year's celebration, one might share this quote to inspire reflection and growth.
More from Lucille Clifton
All quotes →You might as well answer the door, my child, the truth is furiously knocking.
Lucille CliftonRead
won't you celebrate with me 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.
Lucille CliftonRead
If i should enter the house and speak with my own voice, at last, about its awful furnitutre, pulling apart the covering over the dusty bodies; the randy father, the husband holding ice in his hand like a blessing, the mother bleeding into herself and the small imploding girl, i say if i should walk into that web, who will come flying after me, leaping tall buildings? you?
Lucille CliftonRead
blessing the boats (at saint mary’s) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence sail through this to that
Lucille CliftonRead
I write from my knowledge not my lack, from my strength not my weakness. I am not interested if anyone knows whether or not I am familiar with big words, I am interested in trying to render big ideas in a simple way. I am interested in being understood not admired.
Lucille CliftonRead
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