Poem

             In the poem "Good Times" written by Lucille Clifton; the author reminisces on the pleasant days of her childhood. She tell her readers that the rent is paid, the insurance man is gone and that her uncle Brud hit one dollar straight. The poem uses simplistic terms to identify a complex dynamics of family and its" ups and downs. .
             In Clifton's poem it progresses from Clifton's family living in not so good times then after certain things have been dealt with such as the rent being paid, the insurance man gone and the lights are back on then the good times begin. The fact that Clifton says that the rent has been paid leads me to believe that it has been an issue and Clifton family has been trying to reconcile. Rent can also be perceived as the owning of a property and also the security of having your own living space. Without paying the rent the Clifton's would not have a home to live in and thus forth there would be no good times. .
             Another way that Clifton shows those times were not so good is by saying that the insurance is gone, meaning that the insurance must have been bothering them for payment that they owed. Insurance represents the safety of knowing that you and or your family are protected. Bad times can also be seen when Clifton says her light are back on meaning that they were off and were living in darkness. Light can be interpreted as the simple necessities that every human being needs and that they didn't even have the simple necessities of life.
             In Good Times the good times starts when Clifton's" uncle Brud hits it straight for one dollar straight". In that stanza it shows the desperation that Clifton uncle has to get out of poverty that he uses the little money that has to play number or lotto. Instead of paying bills and buying food Uncle Brud plays lotto with the hope of winning big and is trying to win a good life.
             Clifton also puts emphasis at the end of stanza that these were the in fact the "good times" of her youth.