Known for mixing humor and profundity in her works, Poet Lucille Clifton, died in Baltimore after a battle with cancer as reported by her sister, Elaine Philip.

According to a report published on Sunday in the Baltimore Sun, the former Maryland state poet laureate died of undetermined causes on Saturday at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The 73 years old poet died one day after a portion of her colon was removed.

Winner of National Book Award and two-time finalist of Pulitzer Prize, Clifton released 11 books of poetry that offered intriguing takes on poetic expression.

Wallace R. Peppers said of Clifton in the "Dictionary of Literary Biography”," She writes of her family because she is greatly interested in making sense of their lives and relationships; she writes of adversity and success in the ghetto community; and she writes of her role as a poet."

Clifton was named poet laureate of Maryland in 1979 and held the post until 1985, becoming the first African-American to hold the post.

She is survived by her sister, Elaine Philip, three daughters, a son and three grandchildren. (With Input from Agencies)