When I first hear Homage to My Hips by Lucille Clifton, I felt like she was talking to me. My hips are big hips, they don’t fit into little places and need room to move around. I was empowered that day and every time I’ve read it or heard it recited. In fact, the first time I heard it recited was on a sunny Sunday morning in the sanctuary of First UU in Orlando.

The power of those words spoken in a scared space confirmed the sacredness of my own body. My curves, my stretchmarks along with my scars make up a holy vessel that has carried me through my life.