Poem Response
Students analyzed Langston Hughes poem "Mother to Son" and then were asked to write a poem of their own in response to the mother. Some students chose to write about their real lives, while others chose to write from the perspective of the son. All of them were filled with insight and emotion.
Well mom, i’ll tell you:
Life for me isn’t no shining star. It’s faded, discolored, And it sure ain’t shining. But i’ve been in worse, I’ve been in the dark all alone, with no one around, Been hurt, Haven’t been heard, not listened to. So mom don’t turn your back, Don’t you fade away. Cause you’ll end up fixing a temporary problem, With a permanent solution. Don’t you break down, Don’t you give up, I’m still trying, Cause my life ain't no shining star. |
Well, Mom, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair either. it had nails in it. and Legos, and broken glass, and places with no chairs or couches to sit and rest. but all the time I've been holding on and reading heights and new surprises, and sometimes going in places with nothing to hold you up. So mother don't give up. don't drown in pain 'cause sometimes you find it hard don't give up for i'm still going I'm still holding on, Life for me aint been no crystal stair. |
Oh, how do I say this,
life seems like a crystal stair. seems so perfect with no cracks and not falling apart and no wrong turns and not missing a step but how wrong is that. my stairs have had many cracks and some splinters But I don't turn back I continue fighting and try not to fall and continue going sometimes my light goes out and it kills the vibe but I succeed even in the dark I'll continue climbing and I'll continue fighting and not turning back and life seems like a crystal stair |
I know life is hard
I've been going up these stairs Sometimes I feel like no one care. Those steps with nails and big fails the walls that listen but don't talk back Walking down the halls with a fair smile and a backpack The time I've spent on the earth have been hard it's going to get harder so might as well cherish it This world is far from perfect and its getting even farther, people protesting isn't helping; just making it worse, people killing sending fathers and sons to the ground, but don't worry me because I still ain't turning around. I won't fall. |
Well, mother, I'll tell you:
Life for me has been as beautiful as a Rose bloom. It's had miracles in it, And wishes, And children growing up, And places wiht familiy all around us. But all the time I'se been a-holdin' on, And reachin' goal's, And turnin' streets, And sometimes goin' in the light Where there ain't been no dark. So Mother, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps 'cuase you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall down now- For I'm still livin', mother, I've been loved; And life for me has been as beautiful as a Rose bloom. |
Life for me ain't a perfect dream
It has disappointment in it, and heartbreak, And is unfair, And it ain't all sunshine and rainbows, its A nightmare But all the time I am solving problems And living life to the fullest And helping others And sometimes I'm fighting Even when theres nothing to fight for. So don't you turn your back You better start living your life 'cause no one else will do it for you. Dream like you'll have forever, But live like you'll die tomorrow. So live your life Because life for me ain't been no perfect dream |
Life for me been a clumsy stair
It has flaws It has mistakes And bruises But it will be ok Ok for once I have you I’ve been on a-climbin And late nights Thinkin about everything… Anything Anything that will help All the mistakes Mistakes that can’t be fixed Promises that have been broken… I’ll try harder Walkin with tied shoes So i won’t fall I’ve been on a-climbin And life for me has been a clumsy stair |
Well,Mom
Life for me ain't been no Golden Stair It’s had glass, Iron nails, Splinters, And it's not stable enough to carry more than 1 person I've been climbing and climbing ignoring the pain and now i'm here Life isn’t easy and it never will be And i'm glad i have you with me cause you supported me all the way All you gotta do is keep your head up |
life for me has had its ups & downs.
it's been simple, it's been rough, Alway tryin' to get through stuff. But all has helped me be happy, learn how to deal with things, so when it gets rough dont count on people for stuff. So be happy learn to deal with somethings because its gonna be hard, its gonna be easy because, life for me has had its ups & downs. |
Well mother, my life has not been a perfect rose
It's had bruises, And scarces, And watery eyes, And love ones lost when i needed them the most. But this whole time, I've been dogging the balls that were thought at me, I've been walking straight and- Healed my head up, I've been running and walking. And there is still so much more to do and be, As I am only on one rose, but there is still thousands of roses ahead of me. Yes, there will be more opposites ahead of me, As my life has not been a perfect rose |
Mom you cleared my spiral stairs.
You showed me how it will fall and break But you gave me a chance to be ready For every tack and splinter and ill do anything to repay But ill never stop climbing because if i stop Ill never be able to repair the upper stairs. Thanks for giving me a upper hand, a repair tool. But all i ask if for you to climb with me. |
Well,Mom,I’ll tell you:
Life for me Hasn’t been no perfect circle It had Deep Holes And bumps And places with no warmth But with no hope i keep on going Been Reaching heights never seen before Gone to the Dark with no light to guide So mom,don't look back Don’t let the past hurt you Cause once you look back you won’t come back For see i'm still climbing,Mother Still going on with a purpose And Mother life for me hasn’t been no perfect circle |