9-1 Langston Hughs

Langston Hugh's was born in 1902.  He had always had an interest in writing poetry.  He attended Columbia University.  Throughout his life he worked as a cook’s helper, a busboy, and a seaman.  Hugh’s was a humorist and a historian on the lives of black Americans.  Hugh’s wrote everything from short stories to lyrics.  As a young man he was even elected class poet.  Hugh’s used his work to speak out for the black community and its culture.  In his poem, “The Weary Blues” Hugh’s puts rhythm and structure into wonderful jazz inspired lyrics.  A picture is painted of an old man playing the blues.  He is lonely and music is his mistress.  He uses the blues to deal with the world and society.  He has a sad way about him and his lyrics bring it all together. In the poem he sings, “Ain’t got nobody in all this world, Ain’t got nobody but ma self.”  He is isolated in this world.   The music is his connection to this world and keeps his troubles at bay.  Hugh’s uses the last few lyrics to portray the mood and the sadness that is felt by the lonely jazz player.

Another poem I enjoyed was “Harlem.”  Hugh’s shows a vivid portrayal of hopes and dreams.  In that point and time many black Americans probably felt this way because equality wasn’t exactly on the minds of every American.  “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.”  Many people have their hopes and dreams, but they never happen.  So what happens to the hopes and dreams that we put off?  Do they wither away and become forgotten?  Or do they stay in the make of your mind and cause resentment?  How do you handle those broken dreams and how do they affect your life.  This poem makes me feel a slight bit of sadness for everyone who has succumb to watching their dreams and aspirations disappear.