Celebrating Langston Hughes
Today I would like to honor and pay tribute to Harlem Renaissance poet/writer, Langston Hughes. Although Hughes’ sexual orientation has traditionally been downplayed, like James Baldwin, he was black and gay. Hughes was attracted to the ideals of Communism, given the racism/homophobia in the United States. Though Hughes never officially joined the Communist Party, he was called before Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Joseph McCarthy. I fell in love with Hughes poetry the first time I read Dream Deferred.
Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Another favorite of mine is Dream Boogie. I hope you will enjoy hearing this reading of Dream Boogie. If you have not been introduced to Langston Hughes, I hope you will find some of his poetry; I can guarantee it will become a part of you.
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Tags: Civil Rights, Harlem Renaissance, Joseph McCarthy, Langston Hughes, Poetry, Racism
The imagery in that poem is so powerful that I respond to it viscerally, no matter how many times I encounter it. It’s a masterwork of concision, too — not a wasted syllable.
Exactly, Lex! Yes, I’m delighted that you had the same reaction as I.
I’ve always loved this poem.
Thanks for posting it! It was great to stumble upon.
Cory, I’m so glad you liked it. It is so nice to be cultivating a society of do-gooders.