To Certain, di Langston Hughes

To Certain

You sicken me with lies,

With truthful lies.

And with your pious faces.

And your wide, out—stretched,

mock—welcome, Christian hands.

While underneath

Is dirt and ugliness,

And rotting hearts,

And wild hyenas howling

In you soul’s wasteland.

It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.

I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all

Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill

I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,

I sat there singing her Songs in the dark. She said; 'I do not understand The words’.

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run?

When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left

I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,

been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done

Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right

The ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond and jade, Sit silently on their temple shelv… While the people

To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening

The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.

God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise

Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—