blessing the boats by Lucille Clifton

(at St. Mary's) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence sail through this to that Endnote: Lucille Clifton, a wonderful poet and former poet laureate of Maryland, passed away on February 13. She was a winner of the National book award and was nominated for the Pulitzer prize more than once. For additional biographical information and to read more of her poems go to www.poets.org.