Crystal Stairs

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's 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's still goin', honey,
I's still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Langston Hughes (I'm lovin' this new to me poet).