Lets analyze the extended metaphor

What is says What it might mean (figuratively)/What

might her life experience have been

By: Langston Hughes Crystal Stair

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Tacks
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
Splinters
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
Boards torn up
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners, Bare wood
And sometimes goin' in the dark (no carpet)
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Landin
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
Corner
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
The dark

What kind of life has this mother had?

What is her advice to her son?
 Homework
Directions: Create your
own life as a staircase,
create a key to label your
life events