From quilting (1991), "poem to my uterus" Summary

This poem is an extended metaphor of the uterus as a sock, a dark sack full of desire, where the poet "slippered" her children, both those who survived and those who died. The poem is written just after a hysterectomy, when the poet has had the uterus removed. The poet knows that the uterus has served her well. Using apostrophe, she addresses the uterus with affection and gratitude for the many years of sexuality and childbearing the uterus has served her. The poet feels that in many ways, she doesn't know how to go forward with her life without her uterus.

From quilting (1991), "poem to my uterus" Analysis

This is one of the famous Clifton poems that deals directly, almost brutally, with female matters. Most people don't want to...