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").
Wealth
From Christ to GhandiAppears this truth-St. Francis of AssisiProves it, too:Goodness becomes grandeurSurpassing might of kings.Halos of..
© Langston Hughes
Sylvester’s Dying Bed
I woke up this mornin’’Bout half-past three.All the womens in townWas gathered round me.Sweet gals was a-moanin’,“Sylvester’s gonna die!”And a..
© Langston Hughes
Trumpet Player
The NegroWith the trumpet at his lipsHas dark moons of wearinessBeneath his eyeswhere the smoldering memoryof slave shipsBlazed to the crack of..
© Langston Hughes
Songs
I sat there singing herSongs in the dark.She said;'I do not understandThe words'.I said;'There areNo words'.
© Langston Hughes
Lonesome Place
I got to leave this town.It’s a lonesome place.Got to leave this town causeIt’s a lonesome place.A po’, po’ boy can’tFind a friendly face.Goin’ down..
© Langston Hughes
Fire-Caught
The gold moth did not love himSo, gorgeous, she flew away.But the gray moth circled the flameUntil the break of day.And then, with wings like a dead..
© Langston Hughes
Genius Child
This is a song for the genius child.Sing it softly, for the song is wild.Sing it softly as ever you can -Lest the song get out of..
© Langston Hughes
For Selma
In places likeSelma, Alabama,Kids say,In places likeChicago and New York...In places likeChicago and New YorkKids say,In places likeLondon and..
© Langston Hughes
Catch
Big Boy cameCarrying a mermaidOn his shouldersAnd the mermaidHad her tailCurvedBeneath his arm.Being a fisher boy,He’d found a fishTo carry—Half..
© Langston Hughes
Morning After
I was so sick last night IDidn't hardly know my mind.So sick last night IDidn't know my mind.I drunk some bad licker thatAlmost made me blind.Had a..
© Langston Hughes
Snake
He glides so swiftlyBack into the grass-Gives me the courtesy of roadTo let me pass,That I am half ashamedTo seek a stoneTo kill him.
© Langston Hughes
Wisdom And War
We do not care-That much is clear.Not enoughOf us careAnywhere.We are not wise-For that reason,Mankind dies.To thinkIs much againstThe..
© Langston Hughes
When Sue Wears Red
When Susanna Jones wears redher face is like an ancient cameoTurned brown by the ages.Come with a blast of trumphets, Jesus!When Susanna Jones wears..
© Langston Hughes
Lincoln Monument: Washington
Let's go see Old AbeSitting in the marble and the moonlight,Sitting lonely in the marble and the moonlight,Quiet for ten thousand centuries, old..
© Langston Hughes
Madam And The Rent Man
The rent man knocked.He said, Howdy-do?I said, WhatCan I do for you?He said, You knowYour rent is due.I said, Listen,Before I'd payI'd go to HadesAnd..
© Langston Hughes
Motto
I play it coolI dig all jiveThat's the reasonI stay aliveMy mottoAs I live and learnIs dig and be dug in return
© Langston Hughes
Demand
Listen!Dear dream of utter aliveness-Touching my body of utter death-Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliveness,The flaming source of your bright..
© Langston Hughes
Final Curve
When you turn the cornerAnd you run into yourselfThen you know that you have turnedAll the corners that are left
© Langston Hughes
Peace
We passed their graves:The dead men there,Winners or losers,Did not care.In the darkThey could not seeWho had gainedThe victory.
© Langston Hughes
Dream Boogie
Good morning, daddy!Ain't you heardThe boogie-woogie rumbleOf a dream deferred?Listen closely:You'll hear their feetBeating out and beating out a..
© Langston Hughes
Bound No'th Blues
Goin' down the road, Lawd,Goin' down the road.Down the road, Lawd,Way,way down the road.Got to find somebodyTo help me carry this load.Road's in..
© Langston Hughes
Easy Boogie
Down in the bassThat steady beatWalking walking walkingLike marching feet.Down in the bassThey easy roll,Rolling like I like itIn my soul.Riffs..
© Langston Hughes
Helen Keller
She,In the dark,Found lightBrighter than many ever see.She,Within herself,Found loveliness,Through the soul's own mastery.And now the world..
© Langston Hughes
Silence
I catch the patternOf your silenceBefore you speakI do not needTo hear a word.In your silenceEvery tone I seekIs heard.
© Langston Hughes