Mother to Son

Mother to Son

Well, son, Ill tell you:

Life for me aint been no crystal stair.

Its had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

Ise been a-climbin on,

And reachin landins,

And turnin corners,

And sometimes goin in the dark

Where there aint been no light.

So, boy, dont you turn back.

Dont you set down on the steps.

Cause you finds its kinder hard.

Dont you fall now—

For Ise still goin, honey,

Ise still climbin,

And life for me aint been no crystal stair.

Langston Hughes