Love Poems inspired by Langston Hughes

Students were challenged to write a love poem giving romantic advice based on the poem, "Mother to Son" by 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.

---

Discussion Questions

1. What is the poem about?
2. What is the theme?
3. What does the mother want the son to do?
4. What is the metaphor of the poem?

Students examined works from Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series in order to understand his use of color and repetition. Using watercolor, markers and chalk, students recreate his iconic style.

Jacob Lawrence and Zoe Strauss

Jacob Lawrence (1917 - 2000) was a gifted painter and storyteller whose artwork focused on the struggle for freedom and justice for African Americans. His narrative paintings (or paintings that tell a story) use bold colors and repeated patterns to portray the everyday lives of people in his Harlem community.

Like Jacob Lawrence, contemporary artist Zoe Strauss (1970-) , uses her photographs to tell the stories of the people she encounters in the neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

Students examined images in the Migration Series by Jacob Lawrence and "Mattress Flip Front, South Philly" by Zoe Strauss. Students then created their own story to accompany Zoe Strauss' image. Some students even chose to write a dialogue between the two boys in the image. Other students drew images in the style of Jacob Lawrence (bold, bright colors and repeated patterns) showing modern day events.

Hold Fast to Dreams

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was the most famous writer of the Harlem Renaissance-- a period of thriving black music, writing and art during the 1920s. His work was inspired by the blues and jazz, and focused on the lives of ordinary people.

From Dreams

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken winged bird

That cannot fly...

Some students chose to illustrate the poem while others shared what the words of the poem meant to them.

Welcome to the Harlem Renaissance Project Blog.

This is a space where students of the Youth Study Center share their ideas, writing and original artwork inspired by the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.

We hope that you will visit us frequently to see how the poetry, music and visual art of the Harlem Renaissance continue to influence Philadelphia's youth today.

(The Trumpet Player by Ellissa Collier, 2011)