“won’t you celebrate with me”: Lucille Clifton’s Defiant Call for Resilience

by | Apr 30, 2024 | Poetry

Won't you celebrate with me by Lucile Clifton

won’t you celebrate with me by Lucile Clifton

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.

Unmasking Resilience: A Deep Dive into Lucille Clifton’s “won’t you celebrate with me”

Lucille Clifton’s short poem, “won’t you celebrate with me,” packs a profound emotional punch. It’s a raw and resonant exploration of survival against the odds, a call for acknowledgment of not just accomplishments, but the simple act of enduring.

The Poem’s Structure and Tone

Clifton’s language is deceptively simple. Short lines and conversational phrasing belie the depth of her words. The initial question, “won’t you celebrate with me,” seems almost tentative, a plea for recognition. But with each subsequent line, the poem becomes a declaration of defiance.

Unpacking the Meaning

Let’s dissect pivotal lines:

  • “what i have shaped into / a kind of life?” The focus is not on grand achievements, but crafting existence under difficult circumstances.
  • “born in babylon / both nonwhite and woman”: Clifton highlights the intersectionality of oppression, facing challenges based on race and gender.
  • “what did i see to be except myself?”: Denied societal role models, she draws strength from within.
  • “come celebrate / with me that everyday / something has tried to kill me / and has failed.”: The final lines transform into a triumphant, almost rebellious declaration of resilience.

Themes and Significance

Clifton’s poem offers profound insights into:

  • Everyday Struggles: It celebrates the victories in simply surviving against adversity, especially marginalized identities.
  • Resilience as Resistance: The poem becomes an act of resistance against forces attempting to diminish existence.
  • The Power of Self: Without external validation, the speaker finds strength and defines success on her terms.

Why This Poem Resonates

“won’t you celebrate with me” taps into a universal human experience. We all face challenges, from systemic oppression to everyday hardships. Her poem validates that struggle while asserting the simple power of persistence.

In Conclusion

Lucille Clifton’s poem isn’t a joyful celebration, but a fierce one. It’s a reminder that within the struggle to create “a kind of life” lies strength and a triumph worthy of our acknowledgment—both for ourselves and for others.

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