Poet Lucille Clifton has died.

[nolabear]

Although I actually make money as a poet, I have only memorized a few other peoples' work. This is by Lucille Clifton, and I have always thought it one of the truest, most poignant poems I've ever read. RIP to a woman I'm proud to call "Poet".

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
twenty-six and thirty-six
even thirty-six but
i am running into a new year
and i beg what i love and
i leave to forgive me.

(All is forgiven, Poet)