Cross Poem by Langston Hughes

Cross

Rating: 4.0


My old man's a white old man
And my old mother's black.
If ever I cursed my white old man
I take my curses back.
If ever I cursed my black old mother
And wished she were in hell,
I'm sorry for that evil wish
And now I wish her well
My old man died in a fine big house.
My ma died in a shack.
I wonder where I'm going to die,
Being neither white nor black?

Cross
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ali Wright 08 December 2011

When I originally read this poem I also focused on the racial message. However, after studying the poem more carefully I concluded that 'race' was not the subject, rather it was the container stored the lesson. To me, the person in the poem was apologizing to his dead parents for blaming them for his life that was bitter because he wasn't accepted by blacks or whites. As he grew in understanding he realized that only 'he' was responsible for his success or lack thereof in this life. So the message to me is to fight the urge to 'blame' someone else for your problems and take complete ownership of your life.

83 43 Reply
Riley72 Bell 20 March 2012

This a great piece. I had a connection with this as i am neither white nor black

78 30 Reply
Hans Vr 01 June 2010

This man lives on in his poetry. Very nicely written. Let us do away with any form of racism and discrimination Poetry is a great way to teach wisdom.

55 35 Reply
Royàlé Dì 24 February 2012

Grt piece...the contrast jst brings it al 2 a touch!

52 36 Reply
Sarita Brown 27 October 2009

Reading Langston Hughes now, in an age where a mixed race man has become president of the United States and where something he was so sure would never happen, has happened gives these poems a new and bittersweet resonance. i love Langston's honesty and vivid use of language. i hope he can see how far the world has come. blessings.

52 35 Reply
Sofiyyat 01 June 2022

Fantastic poem

1 0 Reply
poopy head 10 September 2019

like this comment if not gay

16 9 Reply
Manpreet Singh 12 April 2019

Simple but deep in meaning.

2 1 Reply
Joaquina 15 March 2019

adorei o poema do lindo!

2 4 Reply
Paresh Chakra 12 December 2018

Cross is a very gorgeous poem

4 2 Reply
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