Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair

Today is National Black Poetry Day. The day not only honors all past and present black poets, it also commemorates the birth of the first published black poet in the United States. Jupiter Hammon was born in Long Island, New York October 17, 1711.

Langston Hughes (1901-1967) was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Since first reading this poem, I've always been a little partial to it, though their are many by him and others that I like. 

Mother to Son

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

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.