"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

 

Mother to Son

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/9w_BDe-Louk

Who wrote the poem "Mother to Son"?

Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967)

Langston Hughes was an African-American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist who pioneered the literary art form called “jazz poetry.” He is also known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Self-admittedly influenced by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman, Hughes is known for insightful portrayals of black life and culture of his time.

 

"Mother to Son" explanation

In the poem, the speaker (a mother) gives advice to her son about the hardships of life. Her life has been full of adversities, but she has never given up. She encourages her son to follow her, stay optimistic, and keep moving forward. Life may present us with so many obstacles and challenges. The only way to deal with those is to keep grinding with patience, determination, courage, and hope.