Awful Quote by Lucille Clifton
“If i should enter the house and speak with my own voice, at last, about its awful furnitutre, pulling apart the covering over the dusty bodies; the randy father, the husband holding ice in his hand like a blessing, the mother bleeding into herself and the small imploding girl, i say if i should walk into that web, who will come flying after me, leaping tall buildings? you?”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The House” (collection, 1990)
The poet describes a chaotic, painful family scene, confronting trauma and the weight of inherited suffering
In simple terms: Family pain is heavy and visible
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and heal family wounds
Themes
trauma
family
memory
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- family gatherings
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
Intergenerational trauma
poetic narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your family history shape you?
- What steps can you take toward healing?
A Different Perspective
Healing may be painful and slow
