Happiness is Poetry: Langston Hughes

Love is a naked shadow,On a gnarled and naked tree ~ Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

What I’ve always liked about the poetry of Langston Hughes is that what he wants to say is right there in front of you, raw, passionate but plain to see.  Here’s a couple of his better known pieces, enjoy and have a happy day my friends ~ Rev Kane

Mother to Son

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.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

I hope you enjoyed a couple of pieces of the poetry of Langston Hughes, he was one of the early creators of  a unique style that some have called jazz poetry.  Call it whatever you want his words are powerful.

If you like the poetry of Langston Hughes, check out these poets!

Warsan Shire

Sapphire

Charles Bukowski

More Langston Hughes