Langston Hughes "America's black Poet"

Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967) was an African American poet, novelist, playwright, and newspaper columnist. He was born James Langston Hughes in Joplin, Missouri. He was raised by his grandmother, and when he was thirteen years old he began to write poetry.He was accused of being a Communist by many on the right, but he always denied this and when asked why he never joined the Communist Party, he wrote "it was based on strict discipline and the acceptance of directives that I, as a writer, did not wish to accept." He was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1953 and following his appearance, he distanced himself from socialism and was rebuked for this by some on the left.


Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me aint'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.