Life Is Fine by Langston Hughes

I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.

I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.

But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!

I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.

I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.

But it was High up there! It was high!

So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born

Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.

Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine! 

I came across this poem when I was doing some research for my second assignment. What a motivating poem it is. I was enchanted by it. The poet, Langston Hughes was admired for his bold, truthful and poignant words during the Harlem Renaissance. Most of his poems revolves around the plight of the African American community. This poem however transcends all humanity. Everybody can relate to this poem during their most difficult times. Sometimes when things seem too hard to endure, we just feel like giving up. However, we must be strong and face all the obstacles that lay in front of us. Life is too precious to be thrown away just like that. I hope with this poem many others will feel lifted as I did. Thank you Langston for such powerful words...