Homage to My Hips

When I walk into a dressing room with promises on hangers dangling from my fingertips, I inevitably walk out disappointed, shamed. Its my blasted hips. My waist and shoulders may fit one size, but my hips stretch into new territory. It makes clothing shopping hurt like a sweet wound in my hollow chest. But then I remember this Lucille Clifton ditty and, promises or no, I feel a little bit better about the world.


Homage to My Hips

these hips are big hips.
they need space to
move around in.
they don't fit into little
petty places. these hips
are free hips.
they don't like to be held back.
these hips have never been enslaved,
they go where they want to go
they do what they want to do.
these hips are mighty hips.
these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top

~ Lucille Clifton