The Poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes: A Mother's Advice

An illustration of a mother holding her young son closely, both gazing at each other with warmth and connection. Beside them, a sketched spiral staircase rises upward against a soft blue background, symbolizing a journey.

This poem, "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, is about a mother giving her son advice. She describes her difficult journey through life and encourages him to keep going.

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.

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Notes on The Poem Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

In "Mother to Son," Langston Hughes shows us the strength of a mother’s love and wisdom. She has faced many hardships and challenges, but she keeps moving forward, refusing to give up.

Her journey hasn’t been easy, and she describes it as a broken, difficult stairway. Through her words, she teaches her son that life is not always smooth or comfortable, but it’s worth the effort to keep climbing.

Her story inspires us to keep going, even when the path is tough.

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