Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Here Rests" by Lucille Clifton is a deeply moving tribute to her sister Josephine, a complex figure whose life story encapsulates themes of loyalty, redemption, and the transformative power of literature and faith. Through Clifton's tender and unflinching portrayal, Josephine emerges as a multifaceted individual whose actions defy simple categorization, embodying both the hardships and the profound moments of grace that can illuminate a life.

The poem begins by marking the boundaries of Josephine's life, "born july in '29 / and dead these 15 years," immediately establishing a sense of loss and reflection. Yet, what follows is not merely an elegy but a celebration of Josephine's unique spirit. Her habit of carrying "a book / on every stroll" suggests a life of the mind that persisted despite the challenges she faced, including her involvement in street life and her complex relationship with "her Diamond Dick," a figure who symbolizes both protection and exploitation.

The narrative of Josephine returning home "to tend" to their dying father, along with her pimp, who participates in reading the Bible aloud, is particularly poignant. This act of caregiving and shared reading becomes a ritual of healing and redemption, transcending the conventional judgments society might impose on Josephine and her companion. Clifton's choice to highlight the Book of Job—a story of suffering, perseverance, and eventual redemption—further underscores the themes of trials and faith that pervade Josephine's story.

Clifton's direct address to her sister, "when you poem this / and you will she would say," acknowledges Josephine's belief in the power of storytelling and the necessity of remembering both the trials and the resilience that characterized her life. This meta-poetic moment bridges the personal and the universal, suggesting that Josephine's life story, with all its complexities, deserves a place in the broader tapestry of human experience.

The closing wishes for Josephine, "may heaven be filled / with literate men / may they bed you / with respect," blend humor with a profound longing for dignity and recognition for Josephine in the afterlife. Clifton imagines a celestial realm where her sister's intellectual and emotional desires are fulfilled, a place where she is appreciated for her mind and spirit, beyond the circumstances of her earthly life.

"Here Rests" is a testament to Lucille Clifton's ability to convey the depth of human experience with compassion and unvarnished truth. In memorializing her sister Josephine, Clifton not only honors her memory but also challenges readers to look beyond surface judgments to recognize the shared humanity that binds us all. Through this poem, Josephine's life story becomes a source of reflection on the complexities of family, the capacity for change, and the enduring power of love and literature to transcend life's harshest realities.

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