Tag Archives: mother’s love

On Langston Hughes – Black History Month Tribute to a Great Poet

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My favorite poem of Langston Hughes is “Mother to Son”. I read the poem during a ballet dedicated to the great Harlem Renaissance poet. The poem resonated with many grandmothers in the audience that evening and I will never forget Ella Mae who came up to me and told me her story. She struggled to make ends meet when her husband died tragically and she was left with three little boys. She was the daughter of a share cropper and never learned to read. But her dream was to see her sons go to school and become professionals. Her eldest became an attorney and the other two sons were both doctors. She finally learned to read at the age of 70 when she enrolled in an adult literacy program. How she managed was a miracle. She said her own children never realized she was not literate. The reason she shared all of this with me was because her favorite poet was Langston Hughes. He was one of the first poets introduced to her by her literacy instructor. This poem is a tribute to all mothers who dream big for their children. I will never forget Ella Mae and her heartwarming story about a mother’s love. Here is a recitation by Langston Hughes himself.

Remembering Mother

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To My Beloved Mother

                 By Melba Christie

Today I remember you in deep thought

with gratitude for all you taught me

I remember the few times you laughed with gusto;

which was often when you played with your grandchildren;

or they gave you an unexpected kiss.

I remember your beautiful hands;

And the way you brushed my hair 100 times to make it shine.

I remember how you talked to your plants to make them grow

And all the dreams you helped me to sow

I remember the love you had for my dad;

Even when he passed,

The love never left your heart.

I remember your old sayings

which I often find myself repeating.

I remember your courage and strength;

I remember you would go any length

to help your family and friends

I remember how brave you were to the very end.

Today I miss you more than ever

And hope you how much I loved you.