To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me--
That is my dream!
To fling my arms wide
In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening . . .
A tall, slim tree . . .
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.
Langston Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. Through his poetry, fiction and plays he tried to acurately portray the African-American experience in early to mid twentieth century America. He made major contributions to the Harlem Rennaisance, and is known for incorporating jazz influences into his work.
My son just studied Langston Hughes in his 6th grade Calvert School home curriculum course. He speaks to so many...
ReplyDeleteThis would have been a good one for today, since it was 40 years ago that MLK was killed.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog idea, I've forwarded it to interested readers
He wrote another amazing long-ass poem called "America," (or something like that, can't remember the exact title). It's frighteningly accurate and true for today's times :(
ReplyDeleteSimply marvelous. . . and so very timely. Thanks for posting this wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteI like this, my nephew is literally African and American. (sister married and African man), I can see him not struggle, but question his style and identity has he is growing up, maybe I should turn him onto Langston Hughes.
ReplyDeletealways loved Langston Hughes.
ReplyDelete~just discovered your blog - was a published poet in college, one of my favorite poets is Robert Bly.
off to read more...
I am pleased to find another Langston Hughes fan. Happy coincidence to discover your blog today. Yesterday I did a presentation for a middle school class and introduced them to Hughes poems about dreams. Left with them "Hold fast to dreams."
ReplyDeleteSo glad to discover your blog on poetry. I write and read poetry and coordinate a large writing group in the western mountains of NC. Check out our blog on writers and writing. www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWriterlady
I have published Two collections of poetry, 'Time Series' and 'Voyage Series' and am now on to completing my novel.
ReplyDeleteHere I would jot down the poem 'Virus' which has been shorlisted in the British Council - Unisun Poetry Competition in 2006.
Virus
Since the blood tests last week
I have been feeling quite barmy
The wait is over
It is time to say hello to reality
As I lie inside out
On the table of life
With all the reports ready and waiting
There are smiles all round
Everything is fine
Except that dangerous levels
Of an unknown virus
Courses down my veins
And sunset arteries
On hopeless summer nights
When the present
Is scissored off by nostalgia
And I am tossed out
Of the last rudiments of joy
I sit at this lone window
Looking out into a vaporous night
With amorous darkness beyound
They could not have been more wrong
The reports
You say you caught the disease from me
When a battery of tests
Has proved otherwise
I am sure
You could not have caught the disease
From me of all people
I have been vaccinated
Early in life
Against all manner
And genre of love.
For more poems do visit my blog, Reading, Writing and More.
I am a post graduate in English Literature and Journalism.
My blog ID is http://www.chandinisantosh.blogspot.com
Ah... Langston Hughes. He's a great one. I like his poems on dreams. This one happens to be one of my favorites. I write a bit... though nothing to this standard. Glad to see some people still appreciate good litterature.
ReplyDeletenever read his poems until now. . .I don't how they didn't include it in American Literature classes that I've taken.
ReplyDeleteI like this.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites. So meaningful literally and symbolically :)
ReplyDeleteHe is one of my favorites! We had to recite several of his poems in school. My favorite is "The Weary Blues"
ReplyDeletewow this was a wonderful writting, well put and right on. I enjoyed
ReplyDeletethank you. Wish I could write like that.
http://pixiewinks-thoughts.blogspot.com/
God, I love his work! Great post.
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Langston Hughes was born in my town of Joplin. I am glad to see that you have one of his works on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the rhythm of this poem and the echo of "dark like me" in "black like me." It's just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love Langston Hughes' work and I have a great love for poetry in general. Thanks for this wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteI love Langston Hughes. This poem is great!
ReplyDeletelove your blog....I always been into poetry.....
ReplyDeleteI'm a mixed kid and I struggle with my identity on a daily basis. It's nice to see works that are by proud black people that don't come across as slanderous to others. It's hard to be proud to be black these days because black is synonymous with closed-mindedness and angst.
ReplyDeleteits a good poem
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ReplyDeleteI like this, my nephew is literally African and American. (sister married and African man), I can see him not struggle, but question his style and identity has he is growing up, maybe I should turn him onto Langston Hughes. pretty bed sheets , bed quilt cover , sateen sheet set , alkaram bridal bed sheets , slumberdown duvet , vicky razai price , green sofa cover , velvet comforter
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