Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Calming Kali" by Lucille Clifton is a deeply evocative and compact poem that engages with themes of feminine power, compassion, and the shared bonds of womanhood through the figure of Kali, a powerful and complex deity from Hindu mythology. Kali is often depicted as a destroyer of evil forces, associated with time, change, and liberation, but also with death and violence. Clifton's poem navigates the paradoxical nature of Kali, addressing her as both "awful" and a sister, in an intimate and empathetic dialogue that seeks to soothe and understand.

The opening imperative, "be quiet awful woman, lonely as hell," immediately sets a tone of intimacy and confrontation. Clifton addresses Kali not as a distant deity but as a presence that is profoundly relatable—powerful yet lonely, formidable yet in need of comfort. The acknowledgment of loneliness, a deeply human experience, alongside the descriptor "awful," underscores the complexity of Kali's character: she is awe-inspiring in her might and terrifying in her aspects, yet Clifton perceives a vulnerability in her vastness.

The promise "and I will comfort you when I can / and give you my bones and my blood to feed on" reflects a profound empathy and willingness to connect and support, even at great personal cost. The offering of "bones and my blood" suggests a sacrifice, an ultimate act of giving that signifies deep compassion and solidarity. This line also resonates with the iconography of Kali, who is sometimes depicted with a garland of skulls and a skirt of arms, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. Clifton's willingness to offer herself to Kali speaks to the shared experiences of suffering and strength among women, acknowledging the nourishment that can come from understanding and solidarity.

The repetition of "gently gently now awful woman," serves as a calming incantation, an attempt to soothe the deity's rage and perhaps the turmoil within the speaker herself or within the collective experience of womanhood. This gentle admonition reflects a desire to mitigate the harshness of the world and the harshness within, to find a space of peace and understanding amidst chaos.

The closing acknowledgment, "i know i am your sister," solidifies the poem's exploration of the interconnectedness of all women, their shared strengths and vulnerabilities. Clifton recognizes herself in Kali, identifying with her power and her pain, and by doing so, bridges the gap between human and divine, between the individual and the universal. This recognition of sisterhood with Kali elevates the poem from a personal reflection to a broader commentary on the nature of feminine power, the cycles of creation and destruction, and the need for empathy and support within the shared experiences of womanhood.

"Calming Kali" is a testament to Lucille Clifton's ability to draw on mythological and cultural imagery to explore deep and universal themes. Through her engagement with the figure of Kali, Clifton navigates the complexities of power, anger, vulnerability, and connection, offering a nuanced meditation on the nature of feminine strength and the bonds of empathy and solidarity that can sustain and nurture even in the face of profound loneliness and power.

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