Poetry Friday: Running Down a Dream

This woman's poetry has the ability to make me just hoot with laughter, and blink with a sudden, quiet understanding. I have deep respect for the pared down forms and perfect word choices of Lucille Clifton.

I Am Running into a New Year

i am running into a new year
and the old years blow back
like a wind
that i catch in my hair
like strong fingers like
all my old promises and
it will be hard to let go
of what i said to myself
about myself
when i was sixteen and
twentysix and thirtysix
even thirtysix but
i am running into a new year
and i beg what i love and
i leave to forgive me

lucille clifton
Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir, 1969-1980, BOA Editions (Brockport, NY), 1987.

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Here's to new beginnings, whatever the time of year. Find more of the beautifully stated poetic with Sara at Read Write Believe.