Two-Headed Woman

in this garden
growing
following strict orders
following the Light
see the sensational
two-headed woman
one face turned outward
one face
swiveling slowly in

—"in this garden," Lucille Clifton 

In "The Spirit Writing of Lucille Clifton" (Paris Review), Marina Magloire explores a side of the poet that most of us are unfamiliar with—that of Clifton as a two-headed woman:

"'Two-headed woman' is a traditional African American term used to describe women gifted with access to the spirit world as well as to the material world. ... Clifton’s spirit writing, while ostensibly fitting into a race- and gender-blind New Age tradition, should be read as an important contribution to Black feminist theories of embodiment. Clifton’s spirit communications foreshadow contemporary global issues like climate change and the rise of the far right, and they position Black women at the vanguard of addressing these issues."

After reading this, I knew I had to get my hands on Good Woman, a collection of Clifton's poetry and memoir. I'm so glad I did—it's astounding. And it couldn't be more perfect for this Day of the Dead. 

Obsessed. 

Other suggestions for your Sunday reading this Halloween/Samhain/Day of the Dead/pre-election weekend:

"Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist" (the Whitney)—I'm also fascinated by visual artists who birth the spiritual in the physical plane. Don't miss the videos!

"White Witchery" (Guernica)—This essay by Elissa Washuta on whiteness and the occult will make you think twice about Instagram witchy vibes. She has a new book coming out next year, White Magic, that sounds fantastic, and I also really love what she's done with her website in alignment with her book.

"Witchcraft and Brattiness: An Interview with Amina Cain (Paris Review)—This interview with Amina Cain is perfect for this season. I love the way her mind works.

"Muscle Memory of a Body That Is Not Her Body" by LaTanya McQueen—Read this three-page short story. Just do it. You won't regret it.