Come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and has failed.
Lucille CliftonRead
People wish to be poets more than they wish to write poetry, and that's a mistake. One should wish to celebrate more than one wishes to be celebrated.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Desiring acclaim is less important than the act of creation itself.
Lucille Clifton's quote emphasizes that the aspiration to create and celebrate art should take precedence over the desire for recognition or fame. It suggests that the true fulfillment of being a poet or artist comes from the passion for the craft rather than the longing for applause, encouraging individuals to focus on their creative expressions rather than external validation.
Themes
ArtCreationPoetryCelebrationAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on creativity, this quote could inspire participants to focus on their artistic journey rather than seeking praise.
More from Lucille Clifton
All quotes βI 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.
Lucille CliftonRead
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 maryβs) 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
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