Mother To Son Poem by Langston Hughes

Mother To Son

Rating: 4.4


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.

Mother To Son
Friday, January 3, 2003
Topic(s) of this poem: mother
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Katelyn Lazard 16 February 2012

I like your poem. It is very touchies

262 214 Reply
Peacefull Nontokozo 11 October 2011

to my son THANDOKUHLE, mom love you boy

252 200 Reply
Te'anna Nixon 21 August 2012

i love your poem it teaches us that no matter what we go through in life bucause its going to be hard we can't give up on life or on the challenges it throws at you

303 149 Reply
Francine Menaker 20 September 2011

This poem is not only toching and inspiring, the imagery is amazing. The juxtaposition of the smoothness of the crystal stair with the tacks. I've read this poem for over 40 years and it still conjures up incredible images - in the most simple way.

287 162 Reply

he sounds like a niglet

3 8 Reply
Rhonda Cotsell 06 January 2023

Through her pain she teaches her son hope. The line about not sitting on the stairs puts the crystal stairs in perspective. Underneath it all is hope. A satisfying poem.

3 2 Reply
Kinz Marler 09 May 2022

I think thaat this poem is very touching in some ways.I really enjoyed it and just wanted to say keep up the good work😉

1 2 Reply
Luke Arter 26 October 2022

He died 55 years ago

5 2
jace 13 April 2022

im a student from white oak im now almost 13 and ive heard this poem its talks to me i just now heard it again and i love this no matter how old this is its still loved in my heart.

0 4 Reply
Rebecca Navarre 07 April 2022

An ever so heart touching poem! .. Beyond #ing! ..++++++++++++++++++++

0 4 Reply
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