'Life for me ain't been no crystal stair'

I was just thinking about starting one of my posts with a poem by Langston Hughes, a poet I had not heard of before I came across the poem(will do that post soon) but was short of time today and remembered this line 'Life for me ain't been no crystal stair' from one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and decided to put it up. Surprisingly, a quick google search revealed that this one is by Langston Hughes as well! Anyway, am not really into poetry but somehow this one struck a chord - the comparison is so lifelike and practical. And a rhyming scheme always interests me! Should try to read up on more of this poet. Got it from - http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/matoson.html

In this poem, Hughes writes about a mother speaking to her son about life's experiences. He uses the metaphor of a crystal stair.

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 timeI'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.

Holidays!

Of all the things I have missed since I started working, holidays top the list. Earlier there were always the long holidays to look forward to, when there would be trips to plan and enjoy. Now for the past one year of work, a holiday has been an elusive goal.

But finally, after a year of compromise, I took a break with my family and took off to Yelagiri for the weekend. And realised for the first time, what a holiday is really about. Yelagiri is a beautiful place, close enough to the cities of Bangalore and Chennai not to tire you, yet far enough to make you leave the city behind. Its not as breathtaking as the cold hill stations of the north, and yet it's greenery and fresh air refresh you as well as any of them.

Maybe it was just the time and place - it was a well deserved weekend for the first time with the entire family (my dog Bingo included!)which has been my long time goal. And I realised for the first time what people mean when they talk of taking a break from work and enjoying a holiday. It's not necessary to see all the places around or do everything there is to do (was hoping to catch paragliding if it were possible though) Visiting a few places and then relaxing in the garden or indoors watching a movie, can be just as rejuvenating! Sometimes it's good to relax in the middle of hurrying about life and take things slow. Glad I did so.