won't you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kind of life? i had no model. born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay, my one hand holding tight my other hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.

Moores (Trinity University Press). She went on to study on a scholarship at Howard University from 1953 to 1955 and after leaving over poor grades studied at the State University of New York at Fredonia (near Buffalo). In 1984 her husband died of cancer.

Lucille Clifton (June 27 1936 Depew New York – February 13 2010 Baltimore Maryland ) was an American writer and educator from Buffalo New York. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her African American heritage and feminist themes with particular emphasis on the female body. From 1979–1985 Lucille Clifton was Poet Laureate of Maryland.