My Mama moved among the days
like a dreamwalker in a field;
seemed like what she touched was here
seemed like what touched her couldn’t hold,
she got us almost through the high grass
then seemed like she turned around and ran
right back in
right back on in

Analysis, meaning and summary of Lucille Clifton's poem My Mama Moved Among the Days

2 Comments

  1. Eri Camille says:

    This poem reminded me of my own upbringing. It described and put into words my experience as I watched my mother go through life. I didn’t know Many times If She was conscious or not of her actions. She may have been like a sleep walker, a “dream walker” Being a child what ever she’s going through we did too. “She almost got us through the tall grass. The pain of emotional and mental disconnection while still being physically present. “ She turned around and went back on in. “ This Reminded me how she would frequently go in and out of times of mental illness crisis. She would start to get well and things start to get back to normal. When we were in the tall grass, without sight of wellness just believing we were coming to a clearing soon. She would turn around ad go back in. Inside of herself. Isolation, disconnection.

  2. maria says:

    i think this poem is about how she was abused based on her past and she talks about her life with her mother and how she would see her during the situation.

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