Poetry Corner:Harlem

On the 11th of March 1959 the play A Raisin in the Sun written by Lorraine Hansberry opened on Broadway. Lorraine Hansberry was the first black women to ever have a play on Broadway. The play was based on the poem featured below; which was recited at the start of every performance.

    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?

Written by Langston Hughes

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