Blessing the Boats Chapter Summary & Analysis - From quilting (1991), "the birth of language" Summary

From quilting (1991), "the birth of language" Summary

Another of Clifton's poems based on imagining Bible scenes, this poem hypothesizes that Adam had no language when he began in this world. When he woke up, he was afraid because he could not speak. He picks a blade of grass and puts it in his mouth, but he has no tongue and no language, a nice pun. The poet asks if the blade of grass drew blood in Adam's mouth, if the shock of the cut made him "lunge/toward language," if the surprise brought him to life and made him whisper the name of his wife, "eve."

From quilting (1991), "the birth of language" Analysis

This poem is another that imagines what it was like for Bible characters in their experiences. In this one, Adam comes to life. He is not completely formed at the outset of the poem. He lacks a tongue, both literally and symbolically. He is full of fear because he is alone and...
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