Hughes: Poems

by Langston Hughes, David Roessel (Editor)

From the publication of his first book in 1926, Langston Hughes was hailed as the poet laureate of black America, the first to commemorate the experience of African Americans in a voice that no reader, black or white, could fail to hear. Lyrical and pungent, passionate and polemical, this volume is a treasure-an essential collection of the work of a poet whose words have entered our common language.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, African American, Race, Nonfiction, The United States Of America, Anthologies

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 1999

About the author

Through poetry, prose, and drama, American writer James Langston Hughes made important contributions to the Harlem renaissance; his best-known works include Weary Blues (1926) and The Ways of White Folks (1934).

People best know this social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry, for his famous written work about the period, when "Harlem was in vogue."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langsto...

Reviews

[Dree · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poems are great, easily 4 stars.

My issue is with the edition--this is an edited collection, but there is no context. Langston Hughes lived a full life and began writing in high school. But there are no dates with these poems.

Are they in chronological order? I don't know!

There is no biographical info to trace Hughes' development.

So many of his poems are historical, yet there is no context as to when in history he wrote them. Is he looking back in time at his life in Harlem? Or did he write them while living in Harlem? Or both?

must...have...context

Maybe that is just me.

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great American poet, maybe THE great American poet.

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These little books , Everyman's Library Pocket Poets, are a great way to quick study famous poets. I have dogeared quite a few pages in this one !

[Aisha Monet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so hard for me to enurmate this book with stars!
I have never read any of Mr. Hughes work before and I feel like this is an excellent way to be introduced to such a fine and important poet.
I do wish, however, that there has been context to some of the poems. It was obvious that they were written in response to things happening in his life and it would have been lovely to get insight into that.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of poems by the Talented Langston Hughes.
Here are some of my favorites of the bunch:

Lament For Dark People pg 30
I, Too Pg 35
Soledad Pg 39
Cross Pg 40
Jazz Band in a Parisian Cabaret Pg 42
Beale Street Love. Pg 52
Midnight Dancer Pg 59
Life is Fine Pg 140
Third Degree Pg 145
Birmingham Sunday Pg 163
Children’s Rhymes Pg 172
High to Low Pg 212
Argument Pg 229
Harlem(2) Pg 238


I enjoy these pocket size poets collect by Everyman’s Library, and have managed to collect around ten so far-this here is the only book in my collection which consists of poems entirely by a single Poet. It would have been great if the publisher added an introduction to the author, along with dates of some poems-what a missed opportunity on their part! For the novels published my Everyman’s library, there is an extensive introduction along with a chronological information of the authors works- so I know it can be done.

[Scott Weyandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great introduction to Hughes’s poetry. It include the terrific suite of poems: Montage of a Dream Deferred (aka Harlem). Will definitely be spending more time with Langston Hughes.

[Glenda Nelms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langston Hughes' collection of poems in this book ranges from history, culture, slavery, etc. Insightful, moving and powerful. The jazz and blues inspired poems describes what we happening during the Harlem Renaissance period. Hughes' poems such as "Negro" and "Migration" gives readers a look of racism and prejudice that was happening in the 1920's. Unfortunately racism and prejudice is still taking place in the world today. Hughes uses the environment around him to write his poetry.

[Starlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this edition contextualized the verse with at least a simple date or a biography of some kind but Hughes'poetry is so powerful and beautiful it doesn't really matter.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love having this in my pocket.

[Troy Farlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langston Hughes is a genius. Need an example of why to read this book of poems? Here's just one of scores and scores of absolute treasures:

Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria by Langston Hughes

Fine living . . . a la carte?
Come to the Waldorf-Astoria!

LISTEN HUNGRY ONES!
Look! See what Vanity Fair says about the
new Waldorf-Astoria:

"All the luxuries of private home. . . ."
Now, won't that be charming when the last flop-house
has turned you down this winter?
Furthermore:
"It is far beyond anything hitherto attempted in the hotel
world. . . ." It cost twenty-eight million dollars. The fa-
mous Oscar Tschirky is in charge of banqueting.
Alexandre Gastaud is chef. It will be a distinguished
background for society.
So when you've no place else to go, homeless and hungry
ones, choose the Waldorf as a background for your rags—
(Or do you still consider the subway after midnight good
enough?)

ROOMERS
Take a room at the new Waldorf, you down-and-outers—
sleepers in charity's flop-houses where God pulls a
long face, and you have to pray to get a bed.
They serve swell board at the Waldorf-Astoria. Look at the menu, will
you:

GUMBO CREOLE
CRABMEAT IN CASSOLETTE
BOILED BRISKET OF BEEF
SMALL ONIONS IN CREAM
WATERCRESS SALAD
PEACH MELBA

Have luncheon there this afternoon, all you jobless.
Why not?
Dine with some of the men and women who got rich off of
your labor, who clip coupons with clean white fingers
because your hands dug coal, drilled stone, sewed gar-
ments, poured steel to let other people draw dividends
and live easy.
(Or haven't you had enough yet of the soup-lines and the bit-
ter bread of charity?)
Walk through Peacock Alley tonight before dinner, and get
warm, anyway. You've got nothing else to do.

EVICTED FAMILIES
All you families put out in the street:
Apartments in the towers are only $10,000 a year.
(Three rooms and two baths.) Move in there until
times get good, and you can do better. $10,000 and $1.00
are about the same to you, aren't they?
Who cares about money with a wife and kids homeless, and
nobody in the family working? Wouldn't a duplex
high above the street be grand, with a view of the rich-
est city in the world at your nose?
"A lease, if you prefer, or an arrangement terminable at will."

NEGROES
Oh, Lawd. I done forgot Harlem!
Say, you colored folks, hungry a long time in 135th Street——
they got swell music at the Waldorf-Astoria. It sure is a
mighty nice place to shake hips in, too. There's dancing
after supper in a big warm room. It's cold as hell
on Lenox Avenue. All you've had all day is a cup of
coffee. Your pawnshop overcoat's a ragged banner on
your hungry frame. You know, downtown folks are just
crazy about Paul RObeson! Maybe they'll like you, too,
black mob from Harlme. Drop in at the Waldorf this
afternoon for tea. Stay to dinner. Give Park Avenue a
lot of darkie color——free for nothing! Ask the Junior
Leaguers to sing a spiritual for you. They probably
know 'em better than you do——and their lips won't be
so chapped with cold after they step out of their closed
cars in the undercover driveways.
Hallelujah! Undercover driveways!
Ma soul's a witness for de Waldorf-Astoria!
(A thousand nigger section-hands keep the roadbeds smooth,
so investments in railroads pay ladies with diamond
necklaces staring at Sert murals.)
Thank God A-mighty!
(And a million niggers bend their backs on rubber planta-
tions, for rich behinds to ride on thick tires to the
Theatre Guild tonight.)
Ma soul's a witness!
(And here we stand, shivering in the cold, in Harlem.)
Glory be to God——
De Waldorf-Astoria's open!

EVERYBODY
So get proud and rare back; everybody! The new Waldorf-Astoria's
open!
(Special siding for private cars from the railroad yards.)
You ain't been there yet?
(A thousand miles of carpet and a million bathrooms.)
Whats the matter?
You haven't seen the ads in the papers? Didn't you get a card?
Don't you know they specialize in American cooking?
Ankle on down to 49th Street at Park Avenue. Get up
off that subway bench tonight with the evening POST
for cover! Come on out o' that flop-house! Stop shivering
your guts out all day on street corners under the El.
Jesus, ain't you tired yet?

CHRISTMAS CARD
Hail Mary, Mother of God!
the new Christ child of the Revolution's about to be
born.
(Kick hard, red baby, in the bitter womb of the mob.)
Somebody, put an ad in Vanity Fair quick!
Call Oscar of the Waldorf——for Christ's sake!!
It's almost Christmas, and that little girl——turned whore
because her belly was too hungry to stand it anymore——
wants a nice clean bed for the Immaculate Conception.
Listen, Mary, Mother of God, wrap your new born babe in
the red flag of Revolution: the Waldorf-Astoria's the
best manger we've got. For reservations: Telephone EL.
5-3000.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was only familiar with a few of Langston Hughes poems before reading this anthology. Two were set to music and sung by the fantastic Audra McDonald, “Dream Variations” and “Daybreak in Alabama,” (it’s worth finding and listening to these). The other is “A Dream Deferred,” perhaps his most famous, perhaps because it’s broadly relatable. But it’s not called “What Happens to a Dream Deferred”—that’s just the first line. The title is “Harlem (2)” (1951). Curious why I didn’t know that, I googled and all over the internet it’s titled “A Dream Deferred.” That it is often referred to not by its title which makes it specifically about a Black experience rather than the universally applicable first line is troubling.

In fact, whether by selection by the editors or because it’s reflective of Hughes’ work (I suspect the latter), almost all of these poems are about the Black experience in America.
“Red Silk Stockings” (1927)
“Let America Be America Again” (1936)

I wish the anthology included the year of publication on each poem, because many reflect a period of history. They don’t even list the first place of publication. I did some internet digging to find years because I think the context of when the poems were written is important. Some that stood out to me as reflecting a time in history were:
“Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria” (1931)
“Note on Commercial Theater” (1940)
“Merry-Go-Round (Colored child at carnival)” (1942)

Some of my favorites, because they read like micro short stories, told a story of a person:
“Aunt Sue’s Stories” (1921)
“Elevator Boy” (1926)
“Ruby Brown” (1927) pairs with “Red Silk Stockings”
“Cubes” (1934)
“Poet to Patron” (1939) seems autobiographical
“Seven Moments of Love” (1949)
“Heart” (1951)
“Graduation”
“Sister” (1951)
“Deferred” (1951)

“Madam’s Past History” (1926) is the first in a great series of several poems about Madam Alberta K. Johnson. I wonder if “Madam and Her Might-Have-Been” (couldn’t find a publication year for this) which refers to Jackson is a companion to “Seven Moments of Love” about a man named Jack whose woman walked out on him.

The last third of the book is a section called “Montage of a Dream Deferred.” I’m not sure if this was a published collection, or an anthology of poems on a theme. There are multiple references to a dream deferred. The poems also have a slightly different style, and feel like they were from a more modern era—maybe 1950s or 1960s? Many had parts that want over my head. Often he throws in a “De-dop” or “Pop-a-da” or something similar, and I’m not sure what it means, if it stands for something, or is just a jazz rhythm.

I looked it up, and it seems “Montage of axDream Deferred” is a jazz poetry suite of scenes in harlem over the course of 24-hours, which might explain the sound effects. Wish I’d known that’s what it was before I read it.

[Chels Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langston Hughes. I have always loved Hughes, my daddy often quoted him, or told me his life story. And although I have read a few poems of his, and always enjoyed them I had never read a collection of Hughes’ work.

Well I must say it was pretty amazing. Even though Hughes is writing pre-WWII and post, so much of the Black American struggle is still relevant. It makes the writing timeless and relatable but also depressingly prophetic.

Many poems deal with the idea of white America saying not too fast, or look at all “we’ve” given “you”.

Hughes writes in a way that transports you to his time, but many lived experience. He speaks as a women, love for men, as mixed race, as black, as African, as American. His writing is so intelligent, and all encompassing bringing in so many aspects of history, including “coolies” indigenous peoples, and even the Congo genocide. One doesn’t need to know the history to understand his lyrical point. But it does make you want to explore more.

Absolutely a great read in snippets or in one sitting. Most poems are short but impactful. Proving once and fore all you don’t need pages on pages when four lines will do.

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about as stripped down a collection of poems as you could get - there's a table of contents, the poems, and an index of first lines, and that's it. There's no context provided, or information about Hughes included, or even dates of when the poems were written. But if all you are interested in is the poems, that may be a good thing. This collects hundreds of Hughes' poems, with most of his classics included. The text is clear and well formatted, and there's nothing to hinder the reading of some amazing writing. I'm not qualified to judge the poetry, beyond saying that much of it I can hear clearly as I read it, which is perhaps the best compliment I could give. So if you're looking for a stripped down presentation with no frills, this will serve you well.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to write a review for poetry, but I'll try.

Hughes does a great job of taking everyday occurrences and putting them into beautiful, touching prose. His poems are (generally) easy to read and understand, but hit just the right notes to make you really think about and feel as if you really experienced what he is writing about. I particularly like the back half of this collection, the Montage of a Dream Deferred works.

If you have any interest in poetry and are looking for a decent place to start, this collection is just such a stepping stone. Some of the best poems by arguable one of the greatest American poets.

[Ayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really beautiful writing.

"Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)...

...Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak..."

[Ellie G]

"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 syrupy sweet? / Maybe it just sags / like a heavy load. / Or does it explode?"

What a privilege to visit and sit with Langston Hughes via this collection. His work, to me, seems always playful, sung with a wink to the audience. He's warm and quick, and the gravity each of his poems possess is unexpected, leaves you blinking like you've caught a sharp, clean, clear scent after a sweet one.

[Véronique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read 2-3 Hughes poems before and it was a pleasure to really discover him through this collection. He is simply amazing. It's a fantastic history lesson about race in the US, except better than history textbooks: it's told with feeling, with a cast of incredibly lively characters, with exceptional musicality, and with simplicity. It is extremely accessible, i'd highly recommend it to anyone who'd want to get acquainted with poetry.

[Elizabeth Houseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. While I found Hughes' poetry to be insightful to his experience (and, I'm sure, the experience of many others), I didn't connect with it well. It wasn't my style, though I am positive others will appreciate Hughes' short song-like poems and longer statement pieces. I'm glad that I read this and gained a glimpse into the experiences he had and culture he lived in, but I doubt I'd go back and reread the pieces anytime soon.

[Q.P. Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

El que lo resume todo:

"The rhythm of life
Is a jazz rhythm,
Honey.
The gods are laughing at us.

The broken heart of love,
The weary, weary heart of pain,—
Overtones,
Undertones,
To the rumble of street cars,
To the swish of rain.

Lenox Avenue,
Honey.
Midnight,
And the gods are laughing at us."

(Lenox Avenue: Midnight)

[Fer Aportela · Rating 4 out of 5]

HARLEM

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?

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I play it cool
I dig all jive
That's the reason 
I stay alive
My motto
As I live and learn
Is dig and be dug in return


This is a wonderful collection of poetry that still resonates the bigotry in our world today. Especially after all that's been happening lately.

[Amy Kannel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable reading for its beauty and its perspective on American history. I wish I could require everyone who has embraced the "Make America Great Again" slogan to read Langston Hughes's poem "Let America Be America Again."

[Cookielover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never loved a poetry book so thoroughly before. From start to finish, I was amazed and captivated. Hughes is definitely my favorite poet. I’m amazed at his versatility and yet the consistency of the blues. I definitely recommend this!

[Anneli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Langston Hughes is a joyful experience of language and rhythm. It's also a sometimes bittersweet and sometimes bitterly painful journey through places and scenes that feel lost in the mists of time, and ones that feel forever contemporary.

[Hephzibah L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Poet.

I loved that his poems sound like blues songs to the point that I don’t know if they were meant to be songs or inspired by them.

The author used different perspectives and is so, so good at storytelling! As my friend said once, “Not me being impressed that a classic is astounding…”

[shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these poems were kind of hard to understand at first glance, but after reading over them and really looking into them, they were very meaningful.

[Megan Mweemba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tuhin Bhowal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is there a way to rate books in fractions on Goodreads yet?

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful poems.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect. As always. One of my very favorite poets.