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?
Notes
It was the first poem Langston wrote, at the age of fourteen. Ruben Silvers (artistic director in the 30's at Karamu House) gives this account: "I was in a business meeting with the Jelliffe's (founders of Karamu House Theatre) as a rambunctious young lad burst into the meeting asking that we read his poem. I insisted that he wait until we were done. Mrs. Jelliffe said, "no read his poem". That poem was The Negro Speaks of Rivers, the poet was Langston Hughes".
Renee Jackson (Poetryality)
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Dynamic
This is my favorite poem by Mr. Hughs...It has so much meaning for me....This is one reason I write, and the other is because I love it...Novy
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dreamss
From guest alejandra (contact)
this poem is just good because i strongly believe in my dreams n i think u should never let go of your dreams or let them just go just like that make them happen and u will get results [= -ale -9th grade student -
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Dream Defferred
From guest Lena (contact)
It is beautiful and simple...process your dream, and do not postponed. -
That is a beautiful poem,straigt foward and interesting.Its a BOMB!!!!!.
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This is a beautiful poem about race, class, oppression, and revolution.
Langston was a black American Marxist. He certainly understood all of these things.
And don't go thinking that what he describes here is over, or resolved!
I'm sure that if Langston were alive today, he would agree that this poem is more relevant than ever.
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It's good
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That was pretty good! I don't know why but the last line made me laugh.
-David- -
"sigh" to be so young and have such thoughts...makes me super jealous...this is one of my fav poems by hughes...really makes you wonder...anyhoo...God Bless
tyler -
I really like his style, and this is one of my favorites. Simple, short, and sweet, yet always very profound. The imagery is matchless, of course, and the whole thing communicates the feeling so well...I love it.
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I get an inferiority complex when I hear of other poets writing such wonderful poetry at such a young age.Boo hoo!
Glad to have read this.
Edited on Jan 28, 11:01 because ''. -
I first read this poem when I was in my 9th grade Honors Literature class, and it's always stuck with me. The last line is so powerful...
dangerous-angel
~Jessica~ -
all my dreams deffered...have gone thro' the whole list....dry up...fester...run...stink...crust and sugar over...sag...explode. great poem. so much said in these few words.
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