i am accused of tending to the past
Lucille Clifton
i am accused of tending to the past as if i made it,
as if i sculpted it
with my own hands. i did not.
this past was waiting for me
when i came,
a monstrous unnamed baby,
and i with my mother’s itch
took it to breast
and named it
History.
she is more human now,
learning language everyday,
remembering faces, names and dates.
when she is strong enough to travel
on her own, beware, she will.
Contributing Artists:
Carlin Pierce
Cecily MJ Taylor
Lindsey Morrison Grant
Matt Amott
Noelle Salaun
Shira Latch
This season's prompt was open to all artists to respond to the line, “when she is strong enough to travel”
from Lucille Clifton's Poem, "i am accused of tending to the past."
Responses to this prompt are a reflection of each artist’s interpretation.
Click on the pieces below to read more about the artwork's connection to this theme and the artists behind them.