Hi all,
Share your thoughts on the poem “Mother to Son” here.
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.
This poem is very intresting
I agree with you because in the poem it describes what happens in her life and she is basically giving me advice.
why is it interesting.
I think it is interesting because tells you if you set your mind to something you can achieve it
I also like this poem, because he really describes how life is like for him.
This poem is well made and made us feel sad for the poor and black.
that is a good answer
why does it make you feel sad.
Because the black people were not treated the same as the white.
How about poor and white!
Why black, it could be about a poor and white!
This poem has a lot of passion and potential.This poem is one of the best!I also like how they described OLD fashion words back in the day
that’s true
You have a very good opinion Waleed
I agree with you Waleed and understand what you mean by the old fashion word. the poem is really great and enjoyable and tells you to not stop and keep going, be determined, and never stop.
I agree.
Good answer
We really like this poem because it has reality and gives you a message about this person’s life and how it was in the olden days.It tells you how poor people were , how disciplined they were and how unfairly and roughly people were treated.
I really like this poem because its very interesting and makes you keep on reading. This poem has inspired me to write my own version (even though it is not finished yet)! Life is like a maze
twisting and turning
dead ends
many bends
life’s everlasting
if you choose the right choices
This poem is a brilliant poem because it was an amazing speech to her son and she was talking about back in the olden days and it was actually real. It had an excellent message and the message was that black people and women were treated different than white people, they were treated like dogs and slaves. Women couldn’t have a job or drive, just stay home and cook for the husband and help their children. Men couldn’t get money they would but half the white people have. When MLK came he told them that black and white people should be treated the same. A good man like MLK or Obama are people who should be in the world not Donald Trump.
Thank you for the context Ilyas. It helps us to understand the poem.
Maria-I think this poem is very inspirational and touching. Zaara-in a way people can relate to this poem.Maria-it really shows how rude the world could be.Zaara-it really makes me think of how I would feel in this position.Maria-if this was my family I don’t know what I would do. Zaara-even though people are different we’re still equal.
I like this poem because it explains what black people went through in America. Some People dont know how people were treated a long time ago so this is a good reminder for people to know. Its good that the mother is telling the son what happened in her life because some people are living great lives now then before. All these black people that stood up for their ethnicity like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther king. it is great to show people the history of a lot of people like black people.
J- Good poem
A-it was very calm
J-made me very feel as if i was in that position
A-it was a really good poem and it inspired me to be thankful of my position
Why do you think it makes you feel like you’re in their position?
I really like this poem because it is very interesting and makes you want to keep on reading.It shows how people were treated in the past , to show how people were living and shows how damaged their lives were.Especially black people.It inspires people to write poems like these.It is a very good influence to young children because it shows why we celebrate black history month.Let children know they have good lives.
I looooove yours.
I really like the poem because it is very interesting and makes you want to keep reading.
It shows you how people been treated in the past and to show how people were living especially the black people.It inspires the people to write poems like this.It is a really good influence to little children to learn about black history month.It should be a reminder to show people that it should be a fair country.
thank you.
I think this scene is very inspirational and tells you a lot about life and that some people can not afford as much as they can but they still fight till the top . I think the message is that always have resilience in yourself and if something stops that keep on fighting till the top .
This poem is very good and it made my heart break with tears . It made me feel very sorry for the mother and the way she never gave up and still went on . so this poem inspired me to write a poem , here it goes .
Life is like a box of chocolate
you don’t know what will be next
Mint , Coffee , Carmale , Orange
you don’t know the look of it
they are all different not the same
like us we are all the different
but treated the same
but was that like the olden days
Hi Malak,
I’m glad you found the poem moving. What is it about the poem that makes it moving?
Hi Michael Walsh ,
I like the mothers advice to her son and telling him never to give up
Thanks Malak. I like it too.
Hi Michael Walsh
what part of the poem did you like and why ?
I like the opening line as it is surprising due to the slang but also how it seems to throw us straight into the poem.
I think Hughes mother to son is a amazing poem for black history month I would give it a 10 out of 10. Life is like a mystery you have two roads if you go the wrong way you don’t know where you going to end up.
I think this a really good poem i recommend it for everyone and it i will give it 10/10
Life is like a bird
you can fly up and see the beautiful world down beneath .but you never know what might attack you a plane? a balloon? a arrow?
what part of the poem did you love and why
i think it is a great poem from mother to son.It is a powerful poem that tells you to never give up and to keep climbing. This is a poem i recently made.
A stack of lemons may look pretty
but they will fool you without pity
you must be wise about your way
people will deceive you
they will be sour but you’ve got to ignore them my boy
you’ve got to be sweet.
Hi Hafsa,
Thank you for your response. I can see the influence of Hughes on your own creation.
Great poem Hafsa, it brought a strong message about how you could get deceived and stolen from.
great poem
I love you poem Hafsa it is very moving to me and it was very nice I am very excited to hear your next one
From your BFF Malak
I really do love this poem mother to son it makes me think about other people. Before I had read this poem I used to think that life was a crystal clear stair case but then I realised that you don’t get what you earn you get what you work for thank you for reading .
I agree with you Anisa because the poem does bring a strong message
To Natalie
Thank you.
We like your poem because it tells us to be wise in situations where people may look sweet and innocent but they can be cruel at times.
Life is like rolling a dice
You never know what you’re gonna get
It makes you more anxious
Just waiting for the number
When it lands, you hope its three
For the world will be peaceful
But it stops… and it lands on
Five
Your heart feels
Despair, danger and worry
Yet you know it might not happen
For all of this was just a dream…..
Hi Marwa
we love your poem because it’s quite deep (but not the bad way ..)
^
This poem tells you about the difficult things in the real world. Also its really interesting because the is made by a man. But then turned around in to mother to son.
Well spotted Sameera. Why do you think Langston Hughes decided to write from a mother’s perspective rather than a father?
I realy love this poem because it is so toching.
This poem is very thoughtful about how life isn’t always perfect and you will always have at least one bad time. it also gives a message about how you should never give up.
That is the same thought as me
I like this poem as it is really powerful. It shows how life is not easy. It can be harsh and scary.
Life is like having a forgotten dream
You don’t know what you’re gonna find
You close your eyes and try to remember
When you finally have that ping
When you have a dream, you can imagine what you love
Like you want a jetpack
They set you free and make you happy
Because in the end you’ll feel more safe
By yonis
I liked how yonis explained that when you have a dream you can accomplish it.
I agree with you Yonis because sometimes when people wake up they instantly forget their dreams like me. But then it feels amazing when you remember it again.
I think the poem is wonderful and I loved the fact that the mum kept on climbing even though she was going through some tough things.I also think that this is a great poem for Black History Month
I think the mother is an inspiration to her child and everyone because she is showing us and her so to never give up.
this poem is very interesting because the way he describes how his mum says how life is like a box of chocolate
I don’t think the son is saying what his mother said to him. I Think we are reading the mothers words in person.
Yes Delilah
I agree
I really love this poem as it shows the power of resilience, if you carry on trying you will get there in the end. I don’t like the accent on it because it makes it hard to read, however it gives it a unique feel.
Hi Isla,
Could you imagine the poem being read in a different accent? How would it change the poem?
Thanks michael
I think it would change the mood of the poem
I think Mother to son has an emotional message that life won’t always be easy it will have it’s hard times too. Also, I like this poem because it refers a stair case metaphor of life.
The message in this poem is to never give up and life is not always easy. It reminds me of what my Mum and Dad say to me. She is describing life as a staircase. She is saying that every time you walk up a staircase you have to face new challenges. In the poem she is using the description of tacks, splinters and torn up boards to describe her challenges. She is explaining to her son don’t sit back because you wont get anywhere. She is also saying you need to keep climbing and keep the momentum going.
Hi Marley,
It’s interesting that the message of the poem is still one parents say to their children today.
Hi Mr welsh ,
It is an honor to text you I love your website it is an inspiration to everyone .I REALLY love the poems on the website this year.
PLEASE write back (it would be a dream come true:)
Hi both,
I’m delighted you enjoy the poems. That’s the most important thing. Which is your favourite poem? And why?
Good comment Marley, that is really encouraging and helpful. Now I’m determined to never give up and keep the momentum going. If I fall back down I will get back up as soon as possible
I really liked the poem because it is about life and how it is hard to live.
I find this poem interesting as it’s saying the truth about life and that you will have to work hard to achieve success .Also I find this poem hard to speak as it has incorrect punctuation and in my eye it has an accent to it.
Hello Albert,
I agree with your opinion but even if you work hard you may not even achieve success then but you should always try again.
This poem is very inspiring and I like how it is referring to her life as a stair that takes a very long time to get round the corners.I think this poem is amazing.
I agree with the poem because in life you don’t always get what you want. Life has its ups and downs negative things happen and positive things happen. The poem also describes that life isn’t a crystal staircase, which I believe isn’t as you get into difficult situations in life.
Also I like the negative metaphor.
this poem shows you that life is harder than you think and you should never let anyone or anything stop you from doing what you want to do.
this poem shows life is hard but you still need to carry on Bye!
nice job!
the poem was amazing. I love how the mother keeps climbing on even though it is really tough. Also, I thought it was a father.
HI Ibrahim,
Yes, it is interesting to think why Langston Hughes chose a mother rather than a father to tell his poem.
This poem should be taken as an important lesson about you not always getting what you want and that life is not as easy as we think its going to be.
That’s an interesting way of looking at the poem Delilah. I guess it does suggest you may not get what you want.
I understand as life has “splinters and tacks in it”and you can make good choices but it may be hard
I think this poem is really inspiring and encouraging and I think it will make many people want to try again.
this is heart touching i absolutely adore this poem
jamila and amy
I like this poem because it talks about how people encourage their children to not give up and to keep on trying to achieve your goal.
I really like this poem because it incourages you not to give up no matter what life is like and you never know what happens next in life so just keep trying .
THIS POEM WAS VERY INSPARATIONAL AND INTERESTING ! ALLITERATION!
This poem made me understand that life is tough not easy.
there are stages that go up and down all the time.
my will power will help me go through all the stages and situation.
I think mother to son really describes what life was like for a black woman back then . I hope that people will read it and understand the importance of the right’s movement
who is the author/
He’s called Langston Hughes. He was a very famous American poet. Did you enjoy “Mother to Son”?
this is a wonderful poem and i love how you use stairs to show work harder