Homage to Langston Hughes

No Dream Deferred

What happens, when a dream is heard?

Do you stay up
          when night falls over the setting sun?
Or fall asleep in bore
          instead of happening to run?

Will you be top-, or underdog?
Will you hold fast, when dreams defer?
Or will you run and run, dear loving God, keep marching t’wards the mountain top?

Oh, is there no security in life, but opportunity.
Demanding spirit, burning perseverance, ain’t no game,
          but merely meant to burn you out like black flesh after flame;

And I’m say’n:

Your days are numbered, clock is tickin’
World elapsing, burden stressin’
Weary blues, your burden’s choice.
          Tenacity, your only voice!
Yet, when it sags like heavy load,
          and you don’t happen to explode
          make last your dreams ‘til they unfold
                    Not ask and be given, but
                    Take what is yours
                    Don’t detour when your soul’s on course;

But finish, not diminishing your finishing abilities
And stand erect, and never yield,
          be part of world’s divinity.