Children, I come back today
To tell you a story of the long dark way
That I had to climb, that I had to know
In order that the race might live and grow.
Look at my face — dark as the night —
Yet shining like the sun with love's true light.
I am the dark girl who crossed the red sea
Carrying in my body the seed of the free.
I am the woman who worked in the field
Bringing the cotton and the corn to yield.
I am the one who labored as a slave,
Beaten and mistreated for the work that I gave —
Children sold away from me, husband sold, too.
No safety , no love, no respect was I due.
Three hundred years in the deepest South:
But God put a song and a prayer in my mouth .
God put a dream like steel in my soul.
Now, through my children, I'm reaching the goal.
Now, through my children, young and free,
I realized the blessing deed to me.
I couldn't read then. I couldn't write.
I had nothing, back there in the night.
Sometimes, the valley was filled with tears,
But I kept trudging on through the lonely years.
Sometimes, the road was hot with the sun,
But I had to keep on till my work was done:
I had to keep on! No stopping for me —
I was the seed of the coming Free.
I nourished the dream that nothing could smother
Deep in my breast — the Negro mother.
I had only hope then , but now through you,
Dark ones of today, my dreams must come true:
All you dark children in the world out there,
Remember my sweat, my pain, my despair.
Remember my years, heavy with sorrow —
And make of those years a torch for tomorrow.
Make of my pass a road to the light
Out of the darkness, the ignorance, the night.
Lift high my banner out of the dust.
Stand like free men supporting my trust.
Believe in the right, let none push you back.
Remember the whip and the slaver's track.
Remember how the strong in struggle and strife
Still bar you the way, and deny you life —
But march ever forward, breaking down bars.
Look ever upward at the sun and the stars.
Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers
Impel you forever up the great stairs —
For I will be with you till no white brother
Dares keep down the children of the Negro Mother.
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i lovethis poem.......
From guest Alexandreya Hurd (contact)
i love this poem it has led me to do many great and helped me to further better my poetry. Through this poem The Negro Mother i have been greatly influenced!!!!! -
The Negro Mother
From guest Saundra Saldana (contact)
This poem by far as had the greatest impact on my life. I think of the Negro Mother and feel inspired. I frequently use this poem as a teaching tool and always use it during Black History Month. I'm sadden by the fact that a lot of today's youth are not holding high her banner. LOVE IT! -
so deep
From guest shaheeda legrande (contact)
This poem truly incourages all us young black kids to strive forward! -
The Negro Mother
From guest maddie (contact)
Hello...its talking about the great depression. and how this woman was able to reach her goal of becoming free -
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The dark girl of this piece is a metaphor for all the descendants of those who were brought to America as slaves but who despite, suffering and oppression are slowly winning the struggle to become accepted simply as people. No better, no worse and certainly no different to anyone else.
Hughes is describing what has happened so far [in 1931] and saying keep on the struggle for the prize is worth having.
I feel it is significant that he chose to personify this in the form of a woman rather than a man, possibily to emphasise that the struggle has not been solely one of violent oposition but has been a gradual progress as in a mother raising a child to maturity.
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The Negro Mother
This poem just gives one a reason to go on,when you are humiliated,harrased,abused,insulted,put you head up there are those who suffered more than you,who never had the law by their side,who never survived the terrible ordeal.As a South African our struggle still continues generation to generation(Aluta-Continua!)it is a long walk to freedom but this poem just keeps one going,and have hope that one day our ancestors will rest in peace. -
beautiful
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Poem
From guest Roblyn (contact)
Maketa. Giovonna and I loved this poem by Langston Hughes. I think you may enjoy it too. Love mom -
WILL 4 EVER LOVE THAT POEM
From guest TARIA (contact)
I READ THAT POEM IN THE SIXTH GRADE AND NOW IM IN THE 11TH I STILL REMEMBER HIM AND MAYA ARE MY TWO FAV POETS AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE. -
good poet
From guest anesha corbett (contact)
ican not say i can rythme the words like that but that poem really touched methanks for inspiring my day -
The Negro Mother
From guest Carolyn (contact)
IO have always loved this poem. It shows a strong, powerful, humble, loving, God fearing Black woman. Our young mothers need to read this! -
GREAT POEM
From guest Kendra (contact)
I think this poem really goes into depth, just about being a slave and the hardships, pain, and suffering that they have to go through. Not only is it they, but a woman with children. I think this poem was and still is Langston's best peom written. -
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
From guest Jasmine Beverly (contact)
I LOVE THIS POEM I HAD 2 RECITE IT IN THE 5TH AND 6TH GRADE AND I STILL NEVER FORGOTTEN IT -
Negro mother
From guest La`Rie (contact)
this is a great poem it has a lot of details and it true and um... this tells a lot and has a moral -
beautiful
From guest bridget (contact)
This Poem if writtin with such compassion and beauty and love for fundemental right for hamun beings i loved it -
From guest nessa rose (contact)
I won 1st prize for reading this poem 27yrs ago. please pass it on to the youth. I believe they've forgotted what our mothers(slave)went through for us. The youth have no respect for our women(mothers, sisters etc) or them selves. just so we can climb the stairs of freedom today. -
langston's poem
From guest Jordan (contact)
i love this poem.it has alot of emotion and feelings based on a black slave that is a woman -
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poetry
From guest Amyiun Harris (contact)
I, have loved this gripping and passionate poem since I was in the 8th grade.I remember memorizing it,it gave me something to believe in. It was the poem that got me interested in poetry. -
From guest Ashley (contact)
When I first read this poem I was so moved that it brought me to tears. It had such an impact that this poem became the foundation of my college sophmore paper. It assisted me when writing about my great grandmother life and legacy. Langston Hughes is truly a literary genius -
The Slave Within
Tis today no wip, no slave trackers puching down.
no longer beaten or mistreated for the work within. held down by words and inner stares. The slave owner without became the slave owner within.
forgetting that price that was paid to be free. free to do what's right and not what's wrong. Husband and children that were sold never comming home leaving the negro mother with out respect all alone.
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From guest Samantha Mathis (contact)
I just wanty to say this poem touched me in many ways./ Since i wirte poetry i felt langston hughes personal feelings in his words. -
seems a glimpse of black history... even if illiterate and surrounded by ignorance...
the steadfast optimism and motivation of a black mother... to see her generation as people of literacy and liberty... till social equality is achieved... -
superb tribute
Langston was the best at describing life. This piece is so strong and truthful - and sad - and inspiring. -
My favorite poem!
Although this is by far my most favorite poem, it's missing 4 lines in the first stanza. -
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You're Right
I have performed this piece for the past 13 years with a tour called; RHYTHMS OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE. This work is committed to memory. I am an actor and had to learn this line for line. The lines that are missing are:
"I am the child they stole from the sand
Three hundred years ago in Africa's land"
I cannot find the other two lines you refer to. I only detect two missing lines. I will edit the poem. Thank you for catching that.
Renee
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this poem is real krunk and speaks the truth
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A personal favorite.
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Really this poem touched my heart..words are so wise
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Amazing! Another of Langston Hughes' poems amazes me.He really penetrates into pain and brings out the struggle so clearly be it through ironic statements in 'Theme for English B' or this.
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Langston Hughes... what a powerful and gripping man- a burning reminder of resilience in the ever-enshrouding... though less consipciously so... ignorance and hatred of his time. Regretfully, this hatred still clings... and it is good to recieve reminder that the fight must continue to truly equalize and free- be you black, white, hispanic, jewish(like myself) or any other race. Thanks for the reminder Mr. Hughes... I'll keep on fighting the good fight!
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i love ur poem and even tough im white it touched me although there isn't much i can say or do i apologize 4 what my ancestord have done
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The first time I read The Negro Mother, or Langston Hughes, was on Poetryality's authors page so you might say she introduce me to this wonderful poet and I thank her for that.
Desiree
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I liked this poem a lot.
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i think the poem was great
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