MOTHER TO SON

 Well, son, I'll tell u

 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 carper 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 find 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

                           
                                       -Langston Huges