Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"What the Mirror Said" by Lucille Clifton is an empowering poem that speaks directly to the reader, celebrating the uniqueness, strength, and inherent value of women. Clifton uses the metaphor of a city and geography to convey the complexity and richness of a woman's identity, challenging societal tendencies to diminish or objectify women. The poem is characteristic of Clifton's work, which often centers on themes of self-love, resilience, and the affirmation of Black women's beauty and worth.

The poem begins with an invocation to "listen," a directive that calls the reader to pay close attention to the message of self-recognition and empowerment that follows. The mirror, serving as the speaker in the poem, reflects not just the physical appearance of the woman it addresses but her inner essence and complexity: "you a wonder. / you a city of a woman. / you got a geography / of your own." This imagery suggests that the woman is a vast, intricate, and vibrant landscape, full of stories, experiences, and depths yet to be explored. Clifton's choice of the word "city" conveys a sense of liveliness, culture, and history, indicating that the woman possesses an internal world as rich and varied as any urban landscape.

The mirror's assertion that "somebody need a map / to understand you. / somebody need directions / to move around you" further emphasizes the woman's complexity and the care that must be taken to truly know and appreciate her. This stands in stark contrast to the objectification women often face, suggesting instead that a woman's identity and experiences demand attention, respect, and effort to comprehend fully.

Clifton reinforces the woman's significance and agency with the lines "listen, / woman, / you not a noplace / anonymous / girl." Here, the poet asserts the woman's distinctiveness and importance, rejecting any notion of her as "noplace" or "anonymous." This is a declaration of the woman's individuality and presence in a world that might seek to render her invisible or generic.

The final lines, "mister with his hands on you / he got his hands on / some / damn / body!" serve as a powerful affirmation of the woman's worth and the necessity of recognizing her as a complete, autonomous being. Clifton uses the repetition of "some / damn / body" to underscore the woman's humanity and the profundity of her existence. This is a reminder that any interaction with her is an encounter with a whole, significant person, deserving of respect and acknowledgment.

"What the Mirror Said" is a celebration of womanhood, an assertion of the dignity and complexity of women's lives. Lucille Clifton crafts a message of empowerment and self-affirmation, encouraging women to recognize and embrace their worth. Through the metaphor of the mirror, Clifton invites her readers to see themselves as they truly are: multifaceted, valuable, and irreplaceable individuals whose presence demands recognition and reverence.

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