Section: «Poems»
Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings:
artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.);
a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").
Problems
2 and 2 are 4.4 and 4 are 8.But what would happenIf the last 4 was late?And how would it beIf one 2 was me?Or if the first 4 was youDivided by 2?
© Langston Hughes
Merry-Go-Round
Where is the Jim Crow sectionOn this merry-go-round,Mister, cause I want to ride?Down South where I come fromWhite and coloredCan't sit side by..
© Langston Hughes
Juke Box Love Song
I could take the Harlem nightand wrap around you,Take the neon lights and make a crown,Take the Lenox Avenue busses,Taxis, subways,And for your love..
© Langston Hughes
Negro Speaks Of Rivers
I've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than theflow of human blood in human veinsMy soul has grown deep like the rivers.I..
© Langston Hughes
Theme For English B
The instructor said,Go home and writea page tonight.And let that page come out of you--Then, it will be true.I wonder if it's that simple?I am..
© Langston Hughes
Daybreak In Alabama
When I get to be a composerI'm gonna write me some music aboutDaybreak in AlabamaAnd I'm gonna put the purtiest songs in itRising out of the ground..
© Langston Hughes
Dinner Guest: Me
I know I amThe Negro ProblemBeing wined and dined,Answering the usual questionsThat come to white mindWhich seeks demurelyTo Probe in polite wayThe..
© Langston Hughes
My People
The night is beautiful,So the faces of my people.The stars are beautiful,So the eyes of my people.Beautiful, also, is the sun.Beautiful, also, are..
© Langston Hughes
Cultural Exchange
In the Quarter of the NegroesWhere the doors are doors of paperDust of dingy atomsBlows a scratchy sound.Amorphous jack-o'-Lanterns caperAnd the wind..
© Langston Hughes
Justice
That Justice is a blind goddessIs a thing to which we black are wise:Her bandage hides two festering soresThat once perhaps were eyes.
© Langston Hughes
Dream Variations
To fling my arms wideIn some place of the sun,To whirl and to danceTill the white day is done.Then rest at cool eveningBeneath a tall treeWhile night..
© Langston Hughes
The Dream Keeper
Bring me all of your dreams,You dreamer,Bring me all yourHeart melodiesThat I may wrap themIn a blue cloud-clothAway from the too-rough fingersOf the..
© Langston Hughes
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..
© Langston Hughes
Children's Rhymes
By what sendsthe white kidsI ain't sent:I know I can'tbe President.What don't bugthem white kidssure bugs me:We know everybodyain't free.Lies written..
© Langston Hughes
The Negro Mother
Children, I come back todayTo tell you a story of the long dark wayThat I had to climb, that I had to knowIn order that the race might live and..
© Langston Hughes
I, Too
I, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow..
© Langston Hughes
Cross
My old man's a white old manAnd my old mother's black.If ever I cursed my white old manI take my curses back.If ever I cursed my black old motherAnd..
© Langston Hughes
Democracy
Democracy will not comeToday, this yearNor everThrough compromise and fear.I have as much rightAs the other fellow hasTo standOn my two feetAnd own..
© Langston Hughes
Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry upLike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore--And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust..
© Langston Hughes
April Rain Song
Let the rain kiss youLet the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid dropsLet the rain sing you a lullabyThe rain makes still pools on the..
© Langston Hughes
Mother To Son
Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on..
© Langston Hughes
As I Grew Older
It was a long time ago.I have almost forgotten my dream.But it was there then,In front of me,Bright like a sun—My dream.And then the wall rose,Rose..
© Langston Hughes
Dreams
Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen..
© Langston Hughes