Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Move" by Lucille Clifton is a profound meditation on displacement, identity, and the inherent human struggle between belonging and alienation. Through its repetitive structure, symbolic imagery, and the motif of movement, Clifton explores the themes of migration, conflict, and the search for home. This poem navigates through various perspectives and scenarios, each depicting a moment of decision or transition, ultimately coalescing into a powerful statement about the human condition and societal dynamics. This essay will analyze the poem's structure, form, and thematic elements, underscoring Clifton's stylistic choices and their implications.

Structured around the imperative "move," the poem consists of a series of vignettes that unfold through a repetition of scenarios in which characters face moments of decision. This repetition serves as both a structural and thematic linchpin, emphasizing the inevitability and necessity of movement—whether physical, emotional, or psychological. The use of free verse allows Clifton the flexibility to shift between these scenarios seamlessly, giving each vignette a sense of immediacy and urgency. The lack of a fixed rhyme scheme or meter mirrors the unpredictability of the characters' journeys and the fluid nature of identity and home.

Clifton's style is characterized by its sparse, yet evocative language, and "Move" exemplifies her ability to convey deep meaning through concise imagery. The poem opens with a community's cautious whispering about "wild-haired women" and "naked children," immediately setting a tone of otherness and societal exclusion. This imagery of reclaiming a continent "away" suggests a deeper longing for a place of origin or belonging that remains elusive. The directive to "move" resonates as both a command and an acknowledgment of the constant state of flux in which these characters exist.

The poem's central motifs—movement and displacement—are explored through various lenses: the ancestral call to return to Africa, the physical displacement caused by conflict, and the internal conflict of conforming to societal norms. Clifton uses the symbol of movement to interrogate the forces that compel individuals and communities to leave behind what is familiar in search of safety, identity, or clarity. The reference to Africa and the notion of a home "he might have lived in" speaks to the diasporic longing for a connection to ancestral lands and the impact of historical displacement on identity.

The imagery of the helicopter rising "at the command" and turning toward "the center of its own town" reflects the internal and external conflicts that lead to displacement and alienation. This moment can be interpreted as a critique of militarization, societal upheaval, or the broader concept of conflict leading to the loss of home and clarity. Clifton masterfully connects the physical destruction wrought by "whirling blades" and "sharp debris" to the psychological turmoil of those caught in the maelstrom of conflict.

Ultimately, "Move" is a call to action and a meditation on survival. Clifton challenges the reader to consider the cost of conformity and the value of difference, suggesting that movement—whether away from conflict, toward self-discovery, or in the pursuit of a new understanding of home—is essential to the human experience. The poem closes on a note of urgency, urging those who "live in a mind / that would destroy itself / to comfort itself" to embrace change and move toward growth and understanding.

In conclusion, Lucille Clifton's "Move" is a compelling exploration of displacement, identity, and the search for belonging. Through its repetitive structure and vivid imagery, the poem captures the essence of human movement and transformation. Clifton uses the act of moving as a metaphor for the broader human struggles of adaptation, survival, and the pursuit of clarity in a world marked by conflict and change. "Move" stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the perpetual journey toward understanding, belonging, and home.

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