In English today, we had a creative writing assignment. We had to write a poem in response to "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. It is the point of view of the son, and it has to have 20 lines like the original. Each line has to have the same amount of words as the same line on the first poem (1st line 5 words on both, second line 8 words on both, etc). We also had to have some kind of metaphor for life. The original poem is in a very southern dialect, and I put a bit of that in mine because it just drew out the true Oklahoman in me, but it shouldn't be too noticeable. This poem, even though it's not technically supposed to be from my point of view, really does convey how I feel about my mom so I was quite happy when I got this assignment. Oh, and this is pretty limited so mine's not very good, but it was a very nice challenge, and I accidentally messed it up a bit anyway (like leaving out two whole lines).

Original poem (NOT mine) :
"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 gon' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't set you 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."

My crappy response poem (finally) :
Yeah, Mama, I do agree,
But a forest is life, it seems.
I must push on through
The leaves
And tangled vines,
But I know I've got you by me--
Guiding.
I just try climbing,
And it's hard
To keep going.
But though I can't always see,
I can feel you pushing me.
I just want to say thanks
For never letting me stop going.
You are my rock,
Always encouraging me to walk
And never stop,
Even when the creepers and vines catch my legs.
(awkward last line, but it just sort of fit the context)

There, finally a poem that isn't totally weird. Ain't yall proud of me?