philosophical society.com

Langston Hughes

"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?

"Impasse"

I could tell you, if I wanted to,
What makes me what I am.
But I don't really want to --
And you don't give a damn.