Tuesday's Art: 3 Poems About 1 Thing

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?

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps on the back

of the wind and floats downstream

till the current ends and dips his wing

in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage

can seldom see through his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill

of things unknown but longed for still

and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still

and his tune is heard on the distant hill

for the caged bird sings of freedom.

hospital

Pain Has But One Acquaintance by Emily Dickinson

Pain has but one Acquaintance

and that is Death --

Each one unto the other

society enough.

Pain is the Junior Party

by just a Second's right --

Death tenderly assists Him

and then absconds from Sight.