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?


In this poem the writer talks about the power of pursing a dream. This poem uses great images that help create a very real picture for the reader.

He ask two questions
- the placement of the questions are important, he ask one in the beginning and one at the end. They are made to make the reader think about what they are reading and what it means to them.

Poetry does not have a right or wrong answer it is written for the reader not the writer. The great thing about poetry is it can mean something different to everyone. It allows the reader to use their imagination and come up with what they think or feel.

I think that people do not see the importance of a dream. I think that this poem is meant to shed some light on the importance of the dream.