Mother to Son By: Langston Hughes

I can recall reciting this poem as a small child in grade school.  Of course it didn't mean much then, but now it resides in my heart and spirit.
 

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.

By: Langston Hughes
In Memory of Davon Green-Franklin