Mother to Son

 by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. 

Jane Shelby 
1864-1954

It had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.

Unknown Location in Jasper County, Texas
Photo by Alonzo Jordan 

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.

Unknown Children
Photo by Alonzo Jordan 

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—

Louisa Jordan Wife of Isaac “Ike” Limbrick 
1846-1939

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.