Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Poem on My Fortieth Birthday to My Mother Who Died Young" by Lucille Clifton is a poignant and deeply personal reflection on life, legacy, and the determination to move beyond the circumstances that define our origins. Through the metaphor of a race, Clifton explores themes of perseverance, resilience, and the complex interplay of fate and agency. This poem serves as both a tribute to her mother and a declaration of the speaker’s own resolve to live fully, even in the shadow of loss and the awareness of mortality that her mother's early death has imposed upon her.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that she has nearly reached the point in her life where her mother's journey was abruptly cut short: "well i have almost come to the place where you fell / tripping over a wire at the forty-fourth lap." The "forty-fourth lap" symbolizes the age at which her mother passed away, and the "wire" represents the unforeseen obstacles that can suddenly end our run—our life—at any moment. This opening sets a tone of contemplation, recognizing the arbitrariness of life's end and the precariousness of our journey.

Despite this acknowledgment, the speaker declares her decision "to keep running," an act of defiance against the fate that befell her mother and a commitment to seize her own destiny. The imagery of running with "head up, body attentive, fingers / aimed like darts at first prize" conveys a focus on the present and future, a willingness to engage life with ambition and vigilance. This stance suggests a refusal to be hindered by fear or to be overly cautious because of the past tragedies that have shadowed her family's history.

Interestingly, the speaker admits a readiness to accept risk, to possibly ignore "the thin thing / grabbing towards my ankles." This represents a conscious choice to live without being paralyzed by the fear of failure or the anticipation of obstacles, embodying a spirit of courage and forward momentum. It’s an acceptance of vulnerability as a part of life's race, an understanding that to aim for greatness or to simply continue moving forward requires the acceptance of potential falls.

The phrase "i’m trying for the long one mama, / running like hell" is a powerful expression of the speaker's determination to pursue longevity, to outpace the shadow of hereditary fate, and to forge a path that extends beyond her mother's. It's a declaration of the desire to live not just longer, but with fervor and purpose, pushing against the limits of her genetic legacy and the psychological weight of her family history.

Ending with "and if i fall / i fall," Clifton encapsulates a profound acceptance of life's inherent uncertainties and risks. This statement reflects a resilience and a peace with the journey itself, regardless of its outcome. It’s an acknowledgment that the act of running—the act of living boldly and fully—is itself a victory, irrespective of whether one stumbles along the way.

"Poem on My Fortieth Birthday to My Mother Who Died Young" is a testament to Clifton’s remarkable ability to convey vast emotional landscapes and existential reflections through concise and potent imagery. This poem not only honors the memory of her mother but also serves as an inspirational narrative on the human capacity to pursue life with hope and bravery, despite the shadows of our past and the uncertainty of our path forward.

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