Please click on link to read the full text of this poem. https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/praise-song
“Praise Song” by Lucille Clifton read by Sher Schwartz
Discover more from Sher Poetry
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
7 responses to ““Praise Song” by Lucille Clifton read by Sher Schwartz”
-
A listener in Oregon commented : “Praise Song” is a wonderful poem. I can attest to that–she came through it–she was welcomed back–As I listened my perspective changed from amused to sad to grateful– maybe that was Clifton’s intent”
LikeLike
-
-
Thank you for listening and commenting. For me it’s a metaphor, but I always do some research about the poem and the commentary associated with the poem. I make decisions about what I wish to share from scholars and from the poet–mostly sherpoetry leans toward sharing my response and letting listeners share theirs. But, I did come across mention that this poem has to do with a relative of Clifton’s that was suicidal and who was spared by the help of family perhaps. I wasn’t easily able to corroborate this story, and I also found other interpretations. This is to say– your feeling of questions/questions and also how this is to be read seems to work well for this poem!
LikeLike
-
-
i really enjoyed this poem and your afterward. it was interesting to hear it from a ten year old perspective. i can see her wide eyed in wonder as she witnessed a veritable miracle! her take away was the love and acceptance of her family. such a beautiful legacy. it did say so much in so few words. on the flip side, i had a similar experience when i witnessed a very short very round friend of mine step too closely to the edge of our deck and in slow motion, roll off and down the shallow slope of our backyard. my recollection is that she rolled away with our 2 corgis nuzzling her along. i held my breath as she rolled to a position she could stand from. miraculously she was fine and i can’t think of this event over these last 10 yrs without a rumble of silent laughter as i praise God that she wasn’t seriously hurt.( joe rebuilt the deck with more room and a railing the very next weekend.) thanks sher.
-
Hello! Thank you for listening and commenting, and for sharing your story. I could see the imagery of your tale as well as Clifton’s and how remarkable –both were saved from serious harm. Miracles both. I love reading folks’s response to these poem. 🙂 Thanks again.
LikeLike
-
-
A poignant and touching poem, all the confusion, rolling like a child does down a hill, but without a child’s joy at dizziness. The welcoming arms of confused and yet relieved arms of family. The resignation of having survived. Yes, on some level almost all can relate. Thanks for sharing.
-
Thank you for listening and commenting. This poem seems really successful in capturing questions and confusion, which seems to me to be very much a part of how one feels when they want to get out of a situation, but they must wrestle with — should they get out. So, they get a bit of a reprieve but the cord doesn’t get fully cut.
LikeLike
-
Sher Poetry 
Leave a Reply to annedfarley Cancel reply