Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"I Am Accused of Tending to the Past" by Lucille Clifton is a powerful poem that delves into themes of history, memory, and the responsibility of bearing witness to the past. Through a personal lens, Clifton explores the accusation of dwelling too much on historical events, presenting a nuanced understanding of the role individuals play in shaping and being shaped by history. The poem speaks to the collective and personal aspects of history, emphasizing the transformative power of acknowledging and naming the past.

The opening lines immediately address the criticism leveled at the speaker, "i am accused of tending to the past / as if i made it, / as if i sculpted it / with my own hands." Clifton cleverly refutes this accusation, clarifying that the past was not her creation but something that she inherited. This distinction shifts the focus from personal responsibility for historical events to the act of engaging with and understanding those events.

The metaphor of the past as "a monstrous unnamed baby" waiting for the speaker upon her arrival in the world is particularly striking. This imagery captures the initial unfamiliarity and overwhelming nature of history, suggesting that it is something both inherited and unavoidable. The speaker's action of taking it "to breast / and named it / History" symbolizes the process of coming to terms with the past, of giving it identity and meaning. It is through this act of naming that the speaker asserts her agency in relation to history, transforming it from something monstrous and unnamed to something recognizable and human.

Clifton's portrayal of history as "more human now, / learning languages everyday, / remembering faces, names and dates" personifies history, suggesting its capacity for growth and change. This personification emphasizes the dynamic nature of history, countering the notion that it is static or irrelevant to the present. By suggesting that history is capable of "learning" and "remembering," Clifton highlights the importance of historical consciousness and the need to actively engage with the past to understand its implications for the present and future.

The poem concludes with a warning: "when she is strong enough to travel / on her own, beware, she will." This closing statement serves as a reminder of the power of history to influence and shape the present and future. Clifton suggests that history, once acknowledged and named, becomes a force in its own right, capable of moving and acting independently. The warning implies that an unexamined or ignored history can have unforeseen consequences, underscoring the importance of tending to the past with care and attention.

"I Am Accused of Tending to the Past" is a testament to Lucille Clifton's ability to weave complex themes into concise and impactful poetry. Through her exploration of the relationship between the individual and history, Clifton invites readers to reconsider the significance of the past and the role of memory in shaping human understanding and experience. The poem is a powerful affirmation of the need to engage with history, not as a burden, but as a necessary part of understanding ourselves and the world around us.

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