“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
I often see requests from teachers for short poems that demonstrate various poetic techniques. Whether for a quick bell ringer lesson, an intro to a longer unit, or a variation on a theme in a longer work, short poems are excellent tools for teachers to have in their toolboxes. On that note, I suggest using the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. It fits several needs: it’s short, easy to read, and full of poetic techniques. The poem demonstrates metaphor, extended metaphor, speaker, dialect, imagery and audience. I have used this poem in my college classes to demonstrate metaphor, and then assigned simile or metaphor to be included in their personal narratives. The students had to choose a place in their narratives where a comparison would help the reader understand an experience or emotion that they felt in the time the story took place.
I have included a copy of the poem below. Please enjoy using Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” in your classes. Let me know how it goes!
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.
