i walk on bones
snakes twisting
in my hand
locust breaking my mouth
an old man
leaving slavery.
home is burning in me
like a bush
God got his eye on.
If the title of Lucille Clifton's poem weren't "Moses," I wouldn't have a clue what this poem was about. However, the more I read it, the more I understand it. The bones and snakes and locusts represent the plagues; God sent to Pharoah. Moses was sent by God to free the Israelites from slavery. They roamed the desert for years, looking for a home. Home! That is really the theme of the poem, not Moses.
Moses met God in a bush that was on fire, but not burnt down. That bush drew Moses to it. Was not Moses drawn to a home? Does not home give warmth and light and love?
