wooden staircases

(based on Mother to Son by Langston Hughes)

I wouldn't want “no crystal stair”
to place my foot upon bare.
Give me a good strong wooden case,
broken boards out of place.

Gnarled edges and splinters too,
so I remember each step I've been through.
Remember the dignity in something earned,
each trial that bore a lesson learned.

Poked through nails damaged my skin,
taught me how to look within.
Find my strength
fight for self
grow each day
in spiritual wealth.

Made of oak or pine lumber,
I can feel them living under
my limb
my leg
my foot
as now I began to root.

Like those sturdy trees,
that gave birth to these
burled and bowed wooden staircases,
which like me moan and creak in places.

I'm climbing these living breathing wooden stairs,
boards torn up and places bare.
and what I've discovered on each landing
is that I still find myself STANDING.

Hard as those stairs are to climb,
in them I find,
what it is to really live,
that's something crystal staircases will never give.

Reviews

[johnnyqueer]

I love this! Amazing work.

[Nobody.]

:) Langston Hughes is amazing. Hell of an inspiration! The flow and feel of this are wonderful. And the honest goodness behind the voice pours through every line. So, yeah, I like it....A lot! Keep em comin!
Cheers!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

This is beyond wonderful. Inspirational and thought provoking. Excellent work Poet.

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

This is AWESOME! Love it! =)