from Blessing the Boats

[https://users.livejournal.com/--torevolution/]

what did she know, when did she know it

in the evenings
what it was the soft tap tap
into the room the cold curve
of the sheet arced off
the fingers sliding in
and the hard clench against the wall
before and after
all the cold air cold edges
why the little girl never smiled
they are supposed to know everything
our mothers what did she know
when did she know it

-- Lucille Clifton

Comments

[sliverofsanity.livejournal.com]

To be completely honest, I cannot completely tell what this poem is about. Is she being molested? yikes

[softanimal.livejournal.com]

so haunting. i adore lucille clifton.