Two Ways of Life

1. "Mother to Son" by Langston Hoghes
Well, son, I tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters'
And boars torn up,
And places with no carpet n the floor-
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turning' corners,
And something 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 step
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.

2. My version of the poem "Mother to Son"
Mother to Son

Well, son I'll tell you
I was alone in the noisy crowd
I was getting through life by feeling my way,
As if I were in a dark forest.

It seemed as if I saw ahead the true light
I was going through the thorny bushes
I fell down and stood up.
When I approached the light
I saw that it was a false light

I changed direction
I went toward another light
But all was useless.

Right now my life is over
And I find myself with more disappointment
My one son, my only joy
Don't create idols for yourself
They lead nowhere

Only G-d' s compass is the true orientation in life
You will fall down and stand up, my dearest,
But you must go only in the direction of G-d

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