Lucille Clifton




lumpectomy eve

all night i dream of lips
that nursed and nursed
and the lonely nipple

lost in loss and the need
to feed that turns at last
on itself    that will kill

its body for its hunger’s sake
all night i hear the whispering
the soft
      love calls you to this knife
      for love.   for love

all night it is the one breast
comforting the other