Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes

Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes’ poem “Life Is Fine” explores themes of despair, resilience, and the will to live. Written in a rhythmic and almost blues-like style, the poem narrates the speaker’s thoughts of ending his life but ultimately deciding to embrace life instead. Through humor, irony, and repetition, Hughes conveys a message of strength and survival despite heartbreak and hardship.

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Life is fine Poem. A picture of Langston Hughes with Lines from his poem Life is fine.

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!
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

Life Is Fine Poem Line-by-Line Meaning (Stanza Breakdown)

Life Is Fine Poem Stanza 1:

“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.”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

The speaker goes to a river, feeling overwhelmed and lost. Unable to think clearly, he impulsively jumps in, suggesting a moment of deep despair.

Life Is Fine Poem Stanza 2:

“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.”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

As he struggles in the water, his instinct for survival kicks in. The coldness shocks him, making him reconsider his decision.

Refrain:

“But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

The repeated emphasis on the water’s coldness adds humor and irony. It wasn’t necessarily a change of heart that saved him, but rather the unbearable temperature.

Stanza 3:

“I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

After the river incident, the speaker considers another method of ending his life—jumping from a building. The mention of “my baby” suggests heartbreak as a reason for his despair.

Stanza 4:

“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.”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

Again, in a moment of crisis, fear and reality set in. The height makes him hesitate, just like the cold water did before.

Refrain:

“But it was High up there! It was high!”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

Just like before, the extreme conditions deter him. Instead of being completely consumed by pain, he finds reasons—however ironic—not to go through with it.

Stanza 5:

“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”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

The speaker comes to a realization: since he is still alive, he should embrace life. He acknowledges that love may have hurt him, but he was born to live, not to die for love.

Stanza 6:

“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 Poem by Langston Hughes}

He accepts that life comes with struggles, but he refuses to let despair defeat him. He will cry and complain, but he will not give up.

Final Refrain:

“Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!”
_{~ Life Is Fine Poem by Langston Hughes}

The poem ends on a triumphant note. The repetition and rhythm make it feel like a victory chant, emphasizing the speaker’s renewed appreciation for life.

Synopsis

“Life Is Fine” tells the story of a man who contemplates suicide but ultimately decides to keep living. He attempts to drown in a river but finds the water too cold, then considers jumping from a building but finds the height too terrifying. These moments of hesitation lead him to realize that life is worth living, even with its struggles. The poem combines humor, irony, and resilience to deliver a powerful message of survival.

Summary

Langston Hughes’ “Life Is Fine” is a deeply emotional yet humorous poem about overcoming despair. The speaker faces heartbreak and contemplates ending his life but finds reasons—both practical and emotional—to keep going. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and rhythm, Hughes captures the raw emotions of pain and resilience. The poem ultimately celebrates life, suggesting that even in difficult times, survival is an act of defiance and strength.