/ need space to / move” (Clifton 1-3). While obviously a human needs space to move, these lines can be interpreted as women's need to grow. Since men have been allowed to do everything under the sun, except naked babies, women must be allowed to branch out, to develop into whatever they choose, rather than fitting into “mean little places,” society's version of who they should to be. Clifton talks about confining gender stereotypes and expectations of women. The voice of the poem states that her hips are free, “they don't like to be held down” (Clifton 7). She is a woman with impulses as abolitionists, prohibitionists, suffragettes, and civil rights activists. There is a connection between Mae in “Like a Winding Sheet” and the speaker in “Homage to My Hips” through their confidence. Mae finds her confidence by perfecting her appearance and the speaker of the poem is confident in her hips and abilities. Where Mae prides herself on keeping her suit as tidy as possible, this ultimately ends up being her undoing, the turning point that leads to her abuse. As women, gender has given Petry and Clifton the voices to share different perspectives of female empowerment and identity. The use of the mediums of poetry and prose allows for a direct and easily accessible source of life as a