Langston Hughes (1902 – 1967)
American poet, novelist, playwright and newspaper columnist.
I was so sick last night I
Didn't hardly know my mind.
So sick last night I
Didn't know my mind.
I drunk some bad licker that
Almost made me blind.
There’s a certain
amount of traveling
in a dream deferred.
I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose —
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
What happens to a dream deferred?
The night is beautiful,
So are the faces of my people.
Why should it be my loneliness,
Why should it be my song,
Why should it be my dream
deferred
overlong?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay —
Except the dream that's almost dead today.
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Dream within a dream,
Our dream deferred.
Good morning, daddy!
Ain’t you heard?
My motto,
As I live and learn,
is:
Dig And Be Dug
In Return.
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed —
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek —
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.
Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.
It’s not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I’m what
I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you.
Love is a naked shadow
On a gnarled and naked tree.
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Daddy, daddy, daddy,
All I want is you.
You can have me, baby —
but my lovin’ days is through.
A certain amount
of impotence
in a dream deferred.