Homage to My Hips by Lucille Clifton

Lucille Clifton’s poem “homage to my hips” stands as a powerful testament to self-love, body positivity, and female empowerment. This piece of writing celebrates the female body in all its glory while boldly challenging society’s often narrow and restrictive beauty standards.

In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll delve deep into the poem’s layers of meaning, examine its prevalent themes, and analyze the literary techniques Clifton employs to convey her message.

We’ll undertake a meticulous line-by-line analysis to uncover the nuances of Clifton’s words and discuss why this poem holds such significance in the realms of poetry and feminism. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry enthusiast or new to literary analysis, this post aims to provide valuable insights into this remarkable work.

About the Poet: Lucille Clifton

Before we immerse ourselves in the poem, it’s crucial to understand the woman behind these powerful words. Lucille Clifton, an American poet and writer of remarkable talent and influence, lived from 1936 to 2010. Her life and work left an indelible mark on American literature, particularly in the spheres of poetry and feminist writing.

Born in Depew, New York, Clifton grew up in a working-class family, facing numerous challenges that would later inform her writing. Despite the obstacles she encountered, Clifton’s talent and determination propelled her to become one of the most celebrated poets of her generation. Her work is characterized by its power, directness, and unflinching exploration of issues related to race, gender, family, and the broader human experience.

Clifton’s poetry often centers on the experiences of Black women in America. She was unafraid to tackle difficult subjects, using her craft to shed light on both personal and societal issues. Her style is known for its simplicity and clarity, often employing short lines and everyday language to convey profound truths.

Some noteworthy facts about Lucille Clifton that highlight her significance in the literary world include:

1. In 1988, she became the first author to have two books of poetry chosen as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in the same year. This remarkable achievement underscores the consistent quality and impact of her work.
2. Clifton served as the Poet Laureate of Maryland from 1979 to 1985. In this role, she worked to promote poetry and literature throughout the state, further cementing her influence on American letters.
3. She was awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize in 2007, one of the most prestigious awards in American poetry. This honor, which came with a $100,000 stipend, recognized her lifetime contribution to poetry.
4. Clifton’s work frequently explored themes related to her identity as a Black woman, her family history, and her body. She wrote openly and honestly about subjects that were often considered taboo, helping to pave the way for future generations of poets to do the same.
5. Despite facing personal hardships, including the loss of two children and her battle with cancer, Clifton continued to write prolifically throughout her life. Her resilience in the face of adversity is reflected in the strength and optimism often found in her poetry.

Understanding Clifton’s background provides essential context for “homage to my hips” and helps us appreciate the depth and significance of her words. With this foundation, let’s now turn our attention to the poem itself.

The Poem: “homage to my hips”

Now, let’s examine the full text of “homage to my hips” by Lucille Clifton:

these hips are big hips they need space to move around in. they don’t fit into little petty places. these hips are free hips. they don’t like to be held back. these hips have never been enslaved, they go where they want to go they do what they want to do. these hips are mighty hips. these hips are magic hips. i have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top!

This poem, in its deceptive simplicity, carries a wealth of meaning and power. As we break it down line by line, we’ll uncover the layers of significance in Clifton’s carefully chosen words.

Breaking Down the Poem: Line-by-Line Analysis

Let’s embark on a detailed journey through each line of the poem, exploring the meaning, implications, and artistry of Clifton’s words.

“these hips are big hips”

The poem opens with a bold, unapologetic statement. Clifton isn’t merely describing her hips; she’s claiming them, owning them, and celebrating their size. In a society that often equates feminine beauty with smallness and daintiness, this opening line is a radical act of self-acceptance and defiance.

The use of the demonstrative “these” creates an immediate sense of intimacy and specificity. These aren’t just any hips – they’re Clifton’s hips, unique and personal. The repetition of “hips” emphasizes the focus of the poem and sets up the anaphora (repetition at the beginning of lines) that will continue throughout the piece.

By describing her hips as “big,” Clifton is not just stating a fact but challenging the reader to confront their own biases about body size and beauty. She’s saying, “Yes, these hips are big, and that’s not a flaw – it’s a feature.”

“they need space to / move around in.”

These lines extend the idea introduced in the opening, adding a dynamic quality to the description. Clifton’s hips aren’t just big; they’re active, mobile, requiring room to exist fully. This need for space can be read both literally and metaphorically.

Literally, it speaks to the physical reality of having a larger body in a world often designed for smaller ones. Metaphorically, it suggests a need for freedom, for the ability to move and exist without constraint.

The enjambment (the continuation of a sentence beyond the line break) between “to” and “move around in” creates a sense of that very movement, with the words themselves requiring space to continue.

“they don’t fit into little / petty places.”

Here, Clifton introduces a note of defiance and criticism. The “little petty places” could refer to physical spaces – clothing, seats, societal norms about how much space a woman should occupy. But they also clearly point to metaphorical spaces – narrow minds, restrictive social expectations, limited views of beauty and worth.

The use of “petty” is particularly powerful. It dismisses these restrictive spaces as not just small, but small-minded and insignificant. Clifton’s hips – and by extension, Clifton herself – are too big, too important, too real to be contained by pettiness.

“these hips / are free hips.”

This declaration of freedom is a pivotal moment in the poem. Clifton is asserting not just the size of her hips, but their autonomy. They are “free” – unconfined, uncontrolled by external forces or expectations.

The line break between “these hips” and “are free hips” creates emphasis, allowing “free hips” to stand out. It’s a moment of liberation, a casting off of constraints.

“they don’t like to be held back.”

Building on the idea of freedom, this line adds a sense of will and preference. Clifton’s hips aren’t just free; they actively resist constraint. The personification here – giving the hips likes and dislikes – adds to the sense of them as independent entities.

This line can be read as a broader statement about Clifton herself, and perhaps about women in general. It’s a rejection of any attempt to limit or restrain, whether physically, creatively, or societally.

“these hips have never been enslaved,”

This line introduces a historical and racial dimension to the poem. As a Black woman in America, Clifton is inevitably aware of the history of slavery and its ongoing impacts. By declaring that her hips “have never been enslaved,” she’s making a powerful statement about personal and ancestral freedom.

This line can be read as a celebration of bodily autonomy, particularly poignant given the long history of Black bodies being commodified and controlled. It’s also a statement of pride in her heritage – despite the history of slavery, she stands free.

“they go where they want to go / they do what they want to do.”

These lines reinforce the themes of freedom and autonomy. Clifton’s hips – and by extension, Clifton herself – are self-directed and self-determined. There’s a joyful defiance in these lines, a celebration of the ability to move and act according to one’s own wishes.

The parallel structure of these lines creates a rhythmic quality, almost like the swing of hips as they move freely. It’s a linguistic embodiment of the very freedom being described.

“these hips are mighty hips.”

Having established the size and freedom of her hips, Clifton now declares their power. “Mighty” suggests strength, impact, importance. It’s a word often associated with natural forces or superheroes, lending an almost mythic quality to these hips.

This line challenges the idea that to be feminine is to be weak or delicate. Clifton’s hips, and Clifton herself, are forces to be reckoned with.

“these hips are magic hips.”

Building on the idea of might, Clifton now adds an element of the supernatural. “Magic” suggests abilities beyond the ordinary, a power that can’t be easily explained or understood. It adds an air of mystery and allure to the description.

This line also connects to a long tradition in Black culture of using the language of magic and spirituality to describe personal power, particularly in the face of oppression.

“i have known them / to put a spell on a man and / spin him like a top!”

The poem concludes with a playful, sensual flourish. After establishing the size, freedom, might, and magic of her hips, Clifton now speaks to their effect on others – specifically, on men.

The idea of putting a spell on someone continues the magical theme, but adds a romantic or sexual dimension. These hips aren’t just powerful in themselves; they have power over others.

The simile “spin him like a top” creates a vivid image of a man literally spinning, overwhelmed by the power of these hips. It’s a humorous and satisfying conclusion, leaving the reader with a sense of the joy and fun inherent in this celebration of the body.

The exclamation point at the end – the only punctuation in the poem – adds emphasis and excitement to this final declaration.

Themes in “homage to my hips”

Having examined the poem line by line, let’s now step back and consider some of the overarching themes that Clifton explores in “homage to my hips.”

1. Body Positivity

Perhaps the most prominent theme in this poem is body positivity – the idea that all bodies are good bodies, worthy of love and celebration. Clifton doesn’t just accept her body; she revels in it, praising her hips for their size, their freedom, their might, and their magic.

This embrace of a body part that might be considered “too big” by conventional beauty standards is revolutionary. Clifton is rejecting the idea that women should be small or take up less space. Instead, she’s saying that her big hips are not just okay – they’re wonderful, powerful, and enchanting.

In the context of when this poem was written (it was published in 1980), this message was particularly bold. While body positivity has gained more mainstream acceptance in recent years, Clifton was ahead of her time in so openly celebrating a body that didn’t conform to narrow beauty ideals.

2. Female Empowerment

Closely related to body positivity is the theme of female empowerment. Throughout the poem, Clifton asserts her autonomy and power. Her hips – and by extension, she herself – are not controlled or constrained by outside forces. They are “free hips” that “go where they want to go” and “do what they want to do.”

This declaration of independence and self-determination is a powerful feminist statement. Clifton is claiming her right to exist on her own terms, to move through the world as she chooses, and to be proud of who she is.

Moreover, the final lines of the poem, where Clifton speaks of her hips’ ability to “put a spell on a man,” assert female sexual power. She’s not a passive object of desire, but an active participant with the ability to enchant and captivate.

3. Defiance of Social Norms

Throughout “homage to my hips,” Clifton pushes back against societal expectations and limitations. Her hips “don’t fit into little / petty places” – a line that can be read as a rejection of both physical and metaphorical constraints.

By celebrating her big hips, Clifton is defying beauty norms that often prioritize slimness. By declaring their freedom and might, she’s challenging expectations of female docility and compliance. And by ending with a celebration of their sensual power, she’s pushing back against taboos around female sexuality.

This defiance extends to the very form of the poem – its lack of capitalization and punctuation (save for the final exclamation point) can be seen as a rejection of formal poetic conventions.

4. Race and Heritage

While race is not explicitly mentioned in the poem, it’s an important underlying theme, particularly in the line “these hips have never been enslaved.” As a Black woman in America, Clifton is inevitably writing from a perspective informed by the history of slavery and ongoing struggles for racial equality.

By declaring that her hips have never been enslaved, Clifton is asserting her freedom not just as an individual, but as a Black woman whose body is her own. This can be read as a celebration of personal autonomy, but also as a statement of pride in her heritage and the resilience of her ancestors.

5. The Power of Self-Love

Underlying all of these themes is a fundamental message of self-love. Clifton isn’t just accepting her body – she’s celebrating it, reveling in it, seeing it as a source of power and magic.

This radical self-love is transformative. By so boldly declaring the beauty and power of her hips, Clifton invites readers to view their own bodies with the same love and wonder. The poem suggests that true power comes not from conforming to external standards, but from fully embracing and loving oneself.

Poetic Techniques in “homage to my hips”

Clifton employs several poetic techniques to enhance the power and memorability of her message. Let’s examine some of these techniques in detail:

1. Repetition

One of the most noticeable techniques in “homage to my hips” is repetition. The phrase “these hips” appears multiple times throughout the poem, creating a rhythmic, almost incantatory effect. This repetition serves several purposes:

• It maintains focus on the subject of the poem, continually bringing the reader’s attention back to the hips.
• It creates a rhythmic structure that mimics the movement of hips, adding a physical, embodied quality to the poem.
• It builds emphasis, with each repetition adding weight and importance to the hips being described.
• It gives the poem a chant-like quality, almost like a spell or incantation, which ties into the “magic” referenced in the poem.

2. Anaphora

Closely related to repetition is the use of anaphora – the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines. We see this in lines like:

“they go where they want to go they do what they want to do”

This technique creates a powerful rhythmic effect and emphasizes the qualities being described. It also adds to the declarative, assertive tone of the poem.

3. Personification

Throughout the poem, Clifton gives her hips human-like qualities. They “don’t like to be held back,” they have never been enslaved, they “go where they want to go” and “do what they want to do.” This personification does several things:

• It brings the hips to life, making them seem like independent entities with their own will and power.
• It adds to the magical, almost supernatural quality of the hips.
• It allows Clifton to talk about herself and her own autonomy through the proxy of her hips.

4. Imagery

While the poem is relatively short, it’s rich in imagery. We get a vivid sense of these hips – their size, their movement, their power. The final image of a man being spun “like a top” is particularly striking, creating a humorous and memorable picture in the reader’s mind.

5. Enjambment

Clifton uses enjambment – the continuation of a sentence beyond the line break – throughout the poem. For example:

“they need space to move around in.”

This technique creates a sense of movement and continuity, mirroring the freedom of movement that the poem celebrates. It also allows Clifton to emphasize certain words by placing them at the beginning or end of lines.

6. Lack of Capitalization and Punctuation

The poem uses no capitalization and very little punctuation (only an exclamation point at the very end). This can be seen as a form of poetic defiance, rejecting formal rules just as the poem rejects societal constraints. It also creates a sense of flow and continuity throughout the poem.

7. Colloquial Language

Clifton uses simple, everyday language throughout the poem. This accessibility adds to the poem’s power – it feels like a real woman talking about her real body, not an abstract poetic exercise. The colloquial phrase “put a spell on a man” in the final lines adds to this sense of everyday speech, making the poem feel intimate and personal.

Metaphor and Simile

While much of the poem is direct and literal, Clifton does employ figurative language, particularly in the final lines. The idea of hips putting a “spell” on a man is a metaphor for sexual attraction, while “spin him like a top” is a simile that vividly illustrates the effect of this attraction.

The Significance of “homage to my hips”

Now that we’ve examined the poem’s content and techniques in detail, let’s consider why “homage to my hips” is such an important and influential work.

Challenging Beauty Standards

“homage to my hips” stands as a powerful challenge to traditional beauty standards that often prioritize thinness and small bodies, particularly for women. By celebrating her “big hips,” Clifton is asserting that beauty and desirability are not limited to one body type. This message was revolutionary when the poem was published and remains relevant today.

In a world where women are often made to feel ashamed of their bodies, especially if they don’t conform to narrow ideals, Clifton’s poem offers a different perspective. It suggests that our bodies are not just acceptable but worthy of celebration – even, or perhaps especially, those parts that society might deem “too big” or “too much.”

Empowering Women

The poem is a clarion call for female empowerment. Clifton’s hips, and by extension Clifton herself, are portrayed as autonomous, powerful, and uncontrolled by external forces. This message of self-determination and self-love is deeply empowering, encouraging women to see themselves as the authors of their own destinies.

Moreover, by ending the poem with an assertion of her hips’ power over men, Clifton is inverting traditional power dynamics. She’s not an object of the male gaze, but a subject with the power to enchant and captivate.

Representation in Literature

As a poem by a Black woman celebrating her body, “homage to my hips” provides crucial representation in literature. It gives voice to experiences and perspectives that have historically been marginalized in the literary canon.

For many readers, especially women of color, seeing their bodies and experiences reflected in poetry can be a powerful and validating experience. Clifton’s work helps to broaden the scope of what is considered “worthy” of poetic treatment, asserting that the bodies and lives of Black women are subjects deserving of art and celebration.

Influence on Other Writers

Clifton’s bold, unapologetic style in “homage to my hips” has influenced countless other writers, particularly women and poets of color. Her willingness to write frankly about the body, to challenge societal norms, and to assert her worth and power has opened doors for many other poets to explore similar themes in their work.

Bridging the Personal and Political

While “homage to my hips” is a deeply personal poem, it also has profound political implications. By asserting the value and power of her body as a Black woman, Clifton is making a statement that resonates beyond her individual experience. The poem touches on issues of bodily autonomy, racial history (particularly in the line about never being enslaved), and resistance to oppressive societal norms.

In this way, Clifton demonstrates how the personal can be political – how celebrating and loving one’s own body can be an act of resistance against systems of oppression.

How to Read and Appreciate “homage to my hips”

If you’re new to poetry or to Clifton’s work, here are some expanded tips for reading and appreciating “homage to my hips”:

1. Read it aloud: Poetry, especially free verse like this, is meant to be heard as well as read. Try reading the poem out loud, paying attention to its rhythm and sound. Notice how the repetitions create a kind of music, how certain words are emphasized by their position at the end of lines.
2. Visualize it: As you read, try to picture the hips Clifton is describing. Imagine how they move, what they look like. This visualization can help you connect more deeply with the poem’s imagery and meaning.
3. Consider the context: Think about when this poem was written (published in 1980) and what it might have meant for a Black woman to write so boldly about her body at that time. Consider how the poem’s messages about body positivity and female empowerment relate to the social and political climate of that era.
4. Reflect on your own experience: How does this poem make you feel about your own body? Does it challenge or affirm your ideas about beauty and self-worth? Whether or not you have hips like Clifton’s, consider how the poem’s messages about self-love and defiance of societal norms might apply to your own life.
5. Look for connections: How does this poem relate to current discussions about body image, feminism, and race? While it was written decades ago, many of its themes remain highly relevant today.
6. Pay attention to form: Notice how the poem is structured. Why do you think Clifton chose not to use capitalization or much punctuation? How does the form of the poem relate to its content?
7. Consider multiple interpretations: While we’ve explored many aspects of the poem in this analysis, poetry often has multiple valid interpretations. What other meanings or significance might you find in Clifton’s words?
8. Research the author: Learning more about Lucille Clifton’s life and other works can provide valuable context for understanding “homage to my hips” and appreciating its significance in her body of work.

The Legacy of “homage to my hips”

Decades after its publication, “homage to my hips” continues to be celebrated, studied, and influential. Its inclusion in numerous poetry anthologies and its frequent appearance in school and university curricula speak to its enduring power and relevance.

The poem’s themes of body positivity and female empowerment resonate strongly with contemporary movements. In many ways, Clifton was ahead of her time in celebrating body diversity and challenging beauty norms. Today, we can see echoes of Clifton’s message in modern advertising campaigns that feature diverse body types, in social media movements that encourage people to love their bodies as they are, and in ongoing discussions about representation and diversity in media.

Moreover, the poem’s exploration of the intersection of race, gender, and body image continues to be highly relevant in today’s discussions of intersectional feminism and social justice.

For poets and writers, “homage to my hips” remains an influential example of how to write about the body in a way that is both personal and political, how to challenge societal norms through art, and how to create powerful imagery with seemingly simple language.

Conclusion

“homage to my hips” is far more than just a poem about body parts. It’s a powerful statement of self-love, a defiant challenge to societal norms, and a joyous celebration of womanhood and Black identity. Through her deceptively simple yet potent words, Lucille Clifton invites us all to embrace our bodies and our power.

The poem demonstrates the revolutionary potential of self-love and the power of asserting one’s worth in a world that may try to deny it. It shows us that our bodies, in all their forms, are worthy of love, respect, and yes, even homage.

As we continue to grapple with issues of body image, racial justice, and gender equality, “homage to my hips” remains a beacon – reminding us of the power of self-acceptance, the importance of challenging harmful norms, and the beauty that exists in all bodies. It stands as a testament to Clifton’s skill as a poet and her importance as a voice for empowerment and self-love.

Whether you’re encountering this poem for the first time or returning to it after many readings, “homage to my hips” offers something valuable: a reminder of our inherent worth, the power of self-celebration, and the revolutionary potential of loving ourselves exactly as we are.

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FAQs about “homage to my hips” and Lucille Clifton

1. Q: When was “homage to my hips” written? A: While the exact date of writing isn’t known, the poem was published in Clifton’s book “Two-Headed Woman” in 1980.
2. Q: Is this poem autobiographical? A: While we can’t know for certain, many scholars believe the poem is indeed autobiographical, reflecting Clifton’s own experiences and body. Clifton was known for writing poetry that drew from her personal life and experiences.
3. Q: What does “homage” mean in the title? A: “Homage” means to show respect or honor. In the context of this poem, the title suggests that the piece is honoring or paying respect to the speaker’s hips. It elevates a part of the body often criticized or minimized to something worthy of reverence.
4. Q: Why doesn’t Clifton use capital letters in the title or the poem? A: This was a stylistic choice Clifton often made in her poetry. It can be seen as a way of breaking conventional rules, much like the poem itself breaks conventional ideas about beauty. Some interpret it as a way of creating a more intimate, conversational tone, or as a visual representation of the freedom and lack of constraint the poem celebrates.
5. Q: How does this poem relate to feminism? A: “homage to my hips” is often seen as a feminist work because it asserts female autonomy, celebrates the female body, and challenges societal expectations of how women should look and behave. It empowers women to love their bodies and to see themselves as strong and magical, regardless of whether they conform to societal beauty standards.
6. Q: What other poems did Lucille Clifton write about the body? A: Clifton wrote several poems celebrating different parts of her body, including “homage to my hair” and “poem in praise of menstruation.” These poems, like “homage to my hips,” challenge conventional ideas about women’s bodies and celebrate aspects of female physicality that are often stigmatized or deemed unmentionable.
7. Q: How has this poem influenced modern body positivity movements? A: While it’s difficult to draw a direct line, many see Clifton’s bold celebration of her body as a precursor to modern body positivity movements that encourage people to love their bodies regardless of size or shape. The poem’s messages about self-love and rejection of narrow beauty standards align closely with the goals of today’s body positivity advocates.
8. Q: Is this poem only relevant to women? A: While the poem specifically celebrates female hips, its themes of body positivity, self-love, and defiance against societal norms can resonate with people of all genders. The core message about loving and celebrating one’s body, regardless of how it’s perceived by society, is universally applicable.
9. Q: How can I learn more about Lucille Clifton and her work? A: You can find collections of Clifton’s poetry in many libraries and bookstores. There are also several biographies and critical studies of her work available. Many universities and literary organizations have resources about Clifton’s life and work. Online poetry archives and literary journals often feature her poems and analyses of her work.
10. Q: Are there any recordings of Lucille Clifton reading this poem? A: Yes, there are recordings of Clifton reading many of her poems, including “homage to my hips.” These can often be found online on poetry websites, in educational resources, or in audio collections of her work. Hearing Clifton read her own work can provide new insights into the rhythm and emphasis of the poem.