these hips are big hips.
-- Speaker (Line 1)

Importance: In this first line, the speaker specifies the size of her body and makes it clear that she does not identify with Western beauty standards (which include being thin and white). The use of repetition is reminiscent of hips swaying back and forth, and the speaker goes on to display her pride in her body. The possessive determiner changes from “my hips” (as specified in the title) to “these hips” in the first line, which personifies the hips.

they don’t fit into little / petty places, these hips.
-- Speaker (Lines 4-5)

Importance: In these lines, the speaker further demonstrates the size of her hips by evoking the kind of places they don’t fit in. The word “petty” means insignificant, demonstrating the speaker’s refusal to be marginalized. The alliteration of the /p/ emphasizes her disgust with these places.

these hips / are free hips.
-- Speaker (Lines 5-6)

Importance: Using the word “free” to...