Langston Hughes has always been one of the best poets to touch the subject of freedom and culture. I first stumbled upon him in my early teens and when I read “The Minstrel Man.” After the first line of the poem it was apparent that I was gearing up for a poetic love affair.  I admit It was difficult for me to select just one of his poems for this poetry moment.  “As I Grew Older” just made since because I recently celebrated a birthday and refocused my effort towards growing my dreams…Enjoy

As I Grew Older

It was a long time ago.
I have almost forgotten my dream.
But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright like a sun-
My dream.
And then the wall rose,
Rose slowly,
Slowly,
Between me and my dream.
Rose until it touched the sky-
The wall.
Shadow.
I am black.
I lie down in the shadow.
No longer the light of my dream before me,
Above me.
Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.
My hands!
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!
Help me to shatter this darkness,
To smash this night,
To break this shadow
Into a thousand lights of sun,
Into a thousand whirling dreams
Of sun!