The poem is a long metaphor in first person point of view. The poet is saying in her words, "Life ain't no crystal stair", when she says this, she is talking about life and how it is not easy or as beautiful as a crystal. The entire poem is about life not being easy, life is not a beautiful experience every second of every day, but the author of this poem is saying that she "won't stop climbin' that old staircase, no matta' how many splinters I get in my feet". and this means that when she gets to stop and take a break from work and relax or do something simple and small that she enjoys, she will love and appreciate the time she has in this life.