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").

The Ballad Of The Landlord

Landlord, landlord,My roof has sprung a leak.Don't you 'member I told you about itWay last week?Landlord, landlord,These steps is broken down.When..

© Langston Hughes

In Time Of Silver Rain

In time of silver rainThe earth puts forth new life again,Green grasses growAnd flowers lift their heads,And over all the plainThe wonder spreadsOf..

© Langston Hughes

Gods

The ivory gods,And the ebony gods,And the gods of diamond and jade,Sit silently on their temple shelvesWhile the peopleAre afraid.Yet the ivory..

© Langston Hughes

Enemy

It would be niceIn any case,To someday meet youFace to faceWalking downThe road to hell...As I come upFeeling swell.

© Langston Hughes

Ardella

I would liken youTo a night without starsWere it not for your eyes.I would liken youTo a sleep without dreamsWere it not for your songs.

© Langston Hughes

I Continue To Dream

I take my dreams and make of them a bronze vaseand a round fountain with a beautiful statue in its center.And a song with a broken heart and I ask..

© Langston Hughes

Madam And The Phone Bill

You say I O.K.edLONG DISTANCE?O.K.ed it when?My goodness, CentralThat was then!I'm mad and disgustedWith that Negro now.I don't pay no..

© Langston Hughes

Love Song For Lucinda

LoveIs a ripe plumGrowing on a purple tree.Taste it onceAnd the spell of its enchantmentWill never let you be.LoveIs a bright starGlowing in far..

© Langston Hughes

Bouquet

Gather quicklyOut of darknessAll the songs you knowAnd throw them at the sunBefore they meltLike snow

© Langston Hughes

Madam And Her Madam

I worked for a woman,She wasn't mean--But she had a twelve-roomHouse to clean.Had to get breakfast,Dinner, and supper, too--Then take care of her..

© Langston Hughes

Wake

Tell all my mournersTo mourn in red --Cause there ain't no senseIn my bein' dead.

© Langston Hughes

Walkers With The Dawn

Being walkers with the dawn and morning,Walkers with the sun and morning,We are not afraid of night,Nor days of gloom,Nor darkness-Being walkers with..

© Langston Hughes

Sea Calm

How still,How strangely stillThe water is today,It is not goodFor waterTo be so still that way.

© Langston Hughes

Po' Boy Blues

When I was home deSunshine seemed like gold.When I was home deSunshine seemed like gold.Since I come up North deWhole damn world's turned cold.I was..

© Langston Hughes

Sonnet 11: As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow'st

As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'stIn one of thine, from that which thou departest,And that fresh blood which youngly thou..

© William Shakespeare

Harlem [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

Po' Boy Blues

When I was home deSunshine seemed like gold.When I was home deSunshine seemed like gold.Since I come up North deWhole damn world's turned cold.I was..

© Langston Hughes

Acceptance

God in His infinite wisdomDid not make me very wise-So when my actions are stupidThey hardly take God by surprise

© Langston Hughes

To Artina

I will take you heart.I will take your soul out of your bodyAs though I were God.I will not be satisfiedWith the touch of your handNor the sweet of..

© Langston Hughes

Night Funeral In Harlem

Night funeralIn Harlem:Where did they getThem two fine cars?Insurance man, he did not pay--His insurance lapsed the other day--Yet they got a satin..

© Langston Hughes

Jazzonia

Oh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress..

© Langston Hughes

I Dream A World

I dream a world where manNo other man will scorn,Where love will bless the earthAnd peace its paths adornI dream a world where allWill know sweet..

© Langston Hughes

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© Langston Hughes

Quiet Girl

I would liken youTo a night without starsWere it not for your eyes.I would liken youTo a sleep without dreamsWere it not for your songs.

© Langston Hughes

The Blues

When the shoe strings breakOn both your shoesAnd you're in a hurry-That's the blues.When you go to buy a candy barAnd you've lost the dime you..

© Langston Hughes