Poems that Relate to Fences

I, Too

I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dareSay to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.

Langston Hughes


Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry upLike 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 sagslike a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes