Wednesday, April 13, 2011

what i thought about on my first free night in a long time

thursday is
really.
and this is
for my pocket:

Mother to Son
-Langston hughes

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.

what poem would you put in your pocket?

the wednesday-friday links:

tiffani for word women wednesday
emily for imperfect prose
bonnie at the faith barista for the faith barista jam
christy for as of late
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
michelle for caffeinated randomness
studio jru for sneak peek friday
jennifer v. davis

17 comments:

  1. nice...love me some langston hughes...he has a delicate witty touch to him...amethyst rocks by saul williams is one i often go back to as the model...

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  2. Kendal!! So funny this is your poem in the pocket. A client of mine has been carrying this around in her pocket!!! One of the saddest abuse cases I have ever heard - and she is STILL CLIMBIN'. She had to memorize this for extra credit at school and she has been carrying it around in her pocket. :0) Love the variation on a theme.

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  3. so glad she's climbin'! i love thinking about you and your work. you are a blessing to so many. when are your kids on spring break, and are you taking off?

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  4. still climbin...this moves my heart deep..how we all need climbers to call back and encourage .. keep climbin!
    xo

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  5. i's still climbin...

    kendal, you don't know how i needed this push to keep climbin.

    poem in my pocket... something by madeleine l'engle or emily dickinson probably :) love you sister.

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  6. Debbie @lovethedecorApril 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    In from fingerprint friday. love the poem

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  7. Perfect poem for a parent to a child. We don't stop climbing until we reach "Home" in his open arms. Thanks for sharing this Kendal and thanks for linking up today.

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  8. this is lovely. xo

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  9. Kendal, I love that this is a REAL poem, told from a heart that is lived, passing down the goods. Wisdom from walking through the night. Keep this in your pocket and file away in a book for him -- as a graduation gift one day? :) Loved this in the jam, Kendal. Thanks tucking this in my pocket...

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  10. Don't set down on the steps, keep climbing. That is fantastic. What a great poem. Thank you so much for sharing it!

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  11. I love the idea of a poem tucked in your pocket...I love the stairway imagery. Thanks for sharing about National Poem in Your Pocket Day...who knew!?

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  12. So sweet...I love the southern accent.

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  13. stunning...and makes me want to write poems to my children, for their pockets.

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  14. i like your poetry. and your gratitudes. and your writing, in general. :)

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  15. I love your pick of poem~ With four growing boy-men I am in love with this precious choice of words. Thank you for sharing & blessing~

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  16. What a great poem to share.

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