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Discover the finest poems by the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, who wrote about race, America, and the dream. Learn about his themes, styles, and influences in this introduction to his work.
Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, the flowering of black intellectual, literary, and artistic life that took place in the 1920s in a number of American cities, particularly Harlem. A major poet, Hughes also wrote novels, short stories, essays, and plays.
Mar 14, 2024 · Some of his most famous poems include “I, Too,” “Dreams,” and “Harlem,” which influenced playwright Lorraine Hansberry and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., among many...
- Adrienne Donica
- Deputy Editor
- “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
- “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 the floor—
- “Homesick Blues” De Railroad bridge’s. A sad song in de air. De railroad bridge’s. Every time de trains pass. I wants to go somewhere. I went down to de station.
- “Harlem Night Song” Come, Let us roam the night together. Singing. I love you. Across. The Harlem roof-tops. Moon is shining. Night sky is blue. Stars are great drops.
- The Negro Speaks of Rivers. ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’ is about a man who has seen the great ages of the world alongside the banks of the most important rivers.
- Harlem (A Dream Deferred) ‘Harlem (A Dream Deferred)’ is a powerful poem by Langston Hughes, written in response to the challenges he faced as a black man in a white-dominated world.
- Suicide’s Note. ‘Suicide’s Note’ is a three-line poem that speaks from the perspective of someone who wants to take their own life. They feel the “cool face” of the river asking them for a “kiss.”
- Kids Who Die. This piece, recently regaining popularity, addresses the tragic deaths of youths and criticizes societal figures like ‘bribe-reaching police’ and ‘money-loving preachers.
Feb 14, 2024 · Explore the best poems by Langston Hughes, one of the most influential voices of the Harlem Renaissance. Find free printables, themes, and background information for each poem.
Read Harlem, a poem by Langston Hughes that explores the impact of deferred dreams and unfulfilled hopes on a community. The poem asks what happens to a dream deferred and offers five possible outcomes.
