Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Harriet" by Lucille Clifton is a poignant homage to the strength and resilience of women throughout history, invoking the spirits of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth (referred to by her birth name Isabell), and the poet's own grandmother. Through this powerful litany, Clifton connects herself to these formidable ancestors, seeking to embody their courage, wisdom, and unyielding commitment to freedom, equality, and familial love. The poem is a reflection on the legacy of resistance and the enduring struggle for justice and dignity.

The opening stanza, "harriet / if i be you," immediately establishes a direct line of communication with Harriet Tubman, the renowned abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad. Clifton expresses a desire not to forget "to be the pistol / pointed," capturing Tubman's fierce determination and readiness to defend her charge to freedom at all costs. The image of Tubman as "the madwoman / at the river's edge / warning / be free or die" underscores her radical commitment to liberation, presenting freedom not as an option but as the only acceptable outcome.

In the second stanza, Clifton shifts her focus to Sojourner Truth, invoking her by her birth name, "isabell." This invocation highlights Truth's journey ("in my / sojourning") and her famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" Clifton's plea to not forget "to ask my brothers / ain't i a woman too" echoes Truth's challenge to the intersecting oppressions of racism and sexism, advocating for recognition and equality within the broader struggle for civil rights.

The final stanza addresses Clifton's "grandmother," symbolizing the personal lineage and the everyday heroism of countless unnamed women who have sustained their families and communities through hard work and faith. Clifton's appeal to not forget "to work hard / trust the Gods / love my children and / wait" speaks to a legacy of resilience, spiritual strength, and the nurturing of future generations. The act of waiting, in this context, is not passive but loaded with anticipation and faith in the fruition of their labors and struggles.

"Harriet" is more than an ode to these individual women; it's a testament to the collective spirit of resistance and empowerment that they represent. Lucille Clifton weaves together these narratives to not only honor their memories but to also draw on their strength in her own life and work. The poem is a call to remember and to embody the courage, wisdom, and love of those who came before, ensuring that their legacies inform our actions and inspire our own commitments to justice and equality. Through her evocative language and imagery, Clifton bridges the past and present, reminding us of the enduring power of female resilience and the unbreakable bonds of shared struggle and hope.

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