Poetry is something that varies from writer to writer. All writers have a style that is unique to their own mind. Although style varies in each writer's poetry, all writers convey their messages through the form they use, as well as the imagery presented in the poem. The imagery and form used in, "The Soul Selects Her Own Society", "Homage to My Hips", and "Theme for English B", do not break this standard. The authors use a plethora of imagery and specific form to present their messages to the reader.
In "Homage to My Hips", by Lucille Clifton, she illustrates for us how she will not conform to what society says her hips should be. The imagery in the first line "these hips are big hips"(819), both proclaims her standing, and denies societies accepted idea of woman's hips. Clifton goes on to say, "they don't fit into little places. these hips are free hips"(819). The reader is given the image that Lucille is quite comfortable with her God given hips. She has nothing to be ashamed of and is proud of her "free hips". Following this idea, Clifton writes "they go where they want to go.", "they do what they want to do."(819), She illustrates for us once more that she is her own person, and she will not conform. Lucille not only uses imagery, but she uses writing structure to ensure that the reader understands her message completely. Throughout the poem, we see examples that would normally be considered improper punctuation, capitalization, and other faults of writing. Lucille breaks the mold "they don't like to be held back.", "these hips have never been enslaved."(819), Clifton makes it clear that she is free from the normal standards of writing. Also she reinforces her standing that she is free from society. The author uses only one exclamation point throughout the poem "i have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top!"(819), Lucille demonstrates that she is living proof that having big hips is just as attractive and spell binding as societies idea of hips.
