Harlem

from Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951)

by Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967)

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?