No Crystal Stair.

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 – Langston Hughes

In my English class, our major assignment requires that we choose a poem and analyze it. We have to identifythe type of strategy that is used, the theme, and talk about the author of the poem. I wanted to select a poem that I could relate to and that I could apply to my previous, present, and past experiences. When I would have to present my poem, I wanted my emotion to be in sync with the emotion that is conveyed in the poem. In no way am I’m trying to create a Spoken Word type atmosphere where there’s snapping after I present; however, my sole intention is to gain some type of understanding for the endless love that I have for my little family.

I remember learning about the Harlem Renaissance and a lot of the writers and artists during that time. Their contributions were truly inspiring and filled with emotion. I remember this poem well because my teacher wept as one of my fellow classmates read it aloud. I didn’t fully understand the nature of the poem as I felt I couldn’t relate it to anything that had occurred in my life. I was young and innocent. The only hardship that I had to overcome was getting over the heartbreaks that were associated with extremely short-lived relationships. Whatever fears that I assumed would never subside, Mommy and Daddy fought away those same fears with kisses, Neosporin, and verbal remedies to the effect of “..weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning..” Those words have been instilled within me.

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair..”

Every day I deal with obstacles that seem to all be thrown in my direction all at once. The tacks, the splinters, the torn boards and bare carpet is what I’ve walked on. There is discomfort and there is great pain. Nevertheless, I keep going.

And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light. ”.

I acquire courage; I keep going even though I know I’m licked before I begin. I never know what truly awaits around the corner when I take risks. I mean sure, you can always assume, but we really don’t know whether there will be a positive or negative outcome or consequence. There were many times where I’ve attempted and achieved and tried and failed. There will be more times like this to come; but my skin is much thicker and much more tough.

Even though the title only suggests that this is a conversation between a mother and her son, it can definitely be used interchangeably. Langston Hughes was his mother’s child and this is based on his personal life thus it is titled as it is. My daughter and my son get me through the tough times. It’s when I think about them that I’m able to truly continue with the task at hand. I want to set and example for them because when they grow up, they’ll have hardships of their own. And I want to be able to attest to the fact that Life isn’t easy but you’ll get past those troubles that seem to linger.

And well..

I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. .”

Life is a battle where only Death can secure a win. So until Death brings his ass to my front door, I’ll keep this armor on.

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