Re-write “Mother To Son”
Your name:
Directions: You will be using Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” as a template for your own poem about having courage in the midst of trials and grief.
You will need to create a metaphor that you think describes going through challenging circumstances. Your poem also needs to use that metaphor to show
having strength and courage. For example, in my modeled example, the speaker of the poem keeps planting, weeding, and watering, even though the
gardening is difficult. Your metaphor needs to operate in a similar way.
Langston Hughes Original Poem
“Mother to Son”
Dr. Pickens Modeled Example: “Father
to Daughter”
Your version of the poem
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,
Well, Kara, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no landscaped
garden.
It’s had weeds,
And thorns,
And scorching sun,
And overgrown bushes
But all the time
I’se been planting,
And weeding,
And watering,
So, don’t you quit your toil.
Don’t you rush inside to sit all day
’Cause you finds it’s sweaty out here.
Don’t you stop believing in blooms—
For I’se still pruning,
I’se still planting
Well, [your name], I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no ___________.
It’s had ___________,
And ___________,
And ___________,
And ___________
But all the time
I’se been _____________,
And _______________,
And ______________,
So, don’t you __________________.
Don’t you ________________
’Cause you finds it’s __________.
Don’t you ____________—
For I’se still ____________,
I’se still ___________,
