Within the Veil
by Michelle Cliff
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At a glance:
- Author: Michelle Cliff
- First Published: 1985
- Type of Poem: Lyric
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric poetry
- Subjects: African Americans, Africa or Africans, Racism, Sexism, Blacks, Race, Authors or writers, Harlem Renaissance
The Poem
“Within the Veil” is composed of twenty-one six-line stanzas. The title suggests that certain conditions are being concealed, as if under a veil, and that they are not being addressed. The first line of the poem, “Color ain’t no faucet,” establishes that the poet is addressing racism. The poet invites readers into the poem by addressing them directly as “you.” By doing this, Michelle Cliff establishes a direct dialogue between herself and readers. She also implicitly makes her readers accountable for the issues she addresses, partly through the casual,...
(The entire page is 1607 words.)
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