The poem's free verses speaks to the reader in a rhythm of natural speech, the reality of life. This is accomplished through compelling words, a refrain, symbolism, and an extended metaphor.
Explanation:
The reality of life for her is depicted from words such as splinters, torn boards, and bareness. This is actually a poem from a mother to a son telling him to keep on trudging even through everything he will have to combat and the tribulations he will face just as she exemplified. The word choice used is interesting to analyze. The word choice is simple yet it creates imagery. The symbolism can be found in a word such as "staircase" - it symolizes trials and hardships as well as the years that have passed. The refrain used starts out the poem and ends the poem powerfully. "And life for me aint't been no crystal stair." Looking at the word "crystal" which one could interpret it as a word symbolising "beauty" or "imperfections." The mom is telling her son that her years of life that have passed have not been perfect, but full of hardships. The author used an extended metaphor throughout the poem by comparing the mother's life to a staircase.
