A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

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?

What happens to a dream deferred? This poem has been on my mind all night. It’s meaning has been plaguing my spirit for some time now. I read some different commentary on it’s meaning but I want to share my own.

The poem does not answer the question but creates a negative visual through more questions and a maybe. And therefore answers the question for me. A dream deferred is going to do something!

It may change it’s form but the awareness does not go away.

When my dream is out in the open for all to see, and I do nothing with it, my spirit hardens and becomes infected with all sorts of maladies.

And a sick spirit is infectious like a sore that runs, so I’m affecting and infecting those around me and my attitude definitely stinks.

And as I let my dream sit, the once complimentary components begin to separate and all that is apparent is the dream no longer appears as attractive or possible.

Most times, it is a heavy load in my life because I see others pursuing their dreams and bringing them to fruition.

I believe the outcome is ambiguous depending on my perspective. The dream deferred either explodes in destruction and I am left with the pieces of what could have been, or,

The dream deferred explodes into existence, breaking through all the barriers and obstacles and thereby becoming even stronger and more resistant to trials.

I am at the explosion point and I refuse to live with the haunting thoughts that I didn’t try my best to pursue my dream.

What I have today is a choice. As a kid I remember taking the “shortcut” to get somewhere and because I practiced that for so long, I still attempt to find “shortcuts”. I’ve learned that there are no shortcuts to success. I will miss a necessary ingredient if I don’t make the choice to be thorough and consistent.

Thanks for reading and sharing in this with me.

Peace.