Figure 1

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 Clifton