Accepted Quote by Lucille Clifton
“wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no 7-11. i wish them one week early and wearing a white skirt. i wish them one week late. later i wish them hot flashes and clots like you wouldn't believe. let the flashes come when they meet someone special. let the clots come when they want to. let them think they have accepted arrogance in the universe, then bring them to gynecologists not unlike themselves.”
About This Quote
A satirical wish for women’s health challenges, exposing societal expectations and bodily autonomy through vivid, unsettling imagery.
In simple terms: Darkly humorous critique of gendered expectations.
Key Takeaway
Highlight the absurdity of imposed norms.
Themes
gender
health
societal expectations
bodily autonomy
satire
Mood
defiant
ironic
provocative
Type
poetic
satirical
feminist
When to use this quote
- a woman confronting medical bias
- a poet reflecting on reproductive health
- a reader confronting gender stereotypes
Key Concepts
menstruation
medicalization
cultural norms
female experience
Practical Applications
- raising awareness of women's health issues
- using satire to challenge norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor affect the perception of serious health topics?
- What does the poem suggest about societal control over women's bodies?
A Different Perspective
Some may view the tone as overly bleak, potentially alienating readers seeking hopeful narratives.
![“[Newlyweds,] these optimistic young bastards, promise to honor and cherish each other through hot flashes and mid-life crises and a cumulative 50-pound weight gain, until that far-off day when one of them is finally able to rest in peace. You know, because they can't hear the snoring anymore.” quote by Jenna McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd5/jenna-mccarthy-30648_able_newlyweds-these-optimistic-young-bastard_1666904.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
![“I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become so accepted now, and somebody said, 'You know the Oprah show, I think has had a big impact.'" I said, I don't think so. We did several transgender [shows], but we didn't…” quote by Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/oprah-winfrey-186_accepted_i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said_25645.jpg)