And yet another favorite book… of poetry, this time written by Langston Hughes: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. The book contained periods of his works, from his earliest works through the later days of his life. The style changes as he developed as a writer is evident. His short, even sometimes 4 lines, poems included witty diatribes, sad commentaries on the racist south, and his invention of the “jazz poetry” style. Hughes shared his feelings on communist thought, role of God in his life, and the landscape of the burgeoning black population in Manhattan, specifically Harlem. Hughes captures the difficult relationships and tensions between white people and blacks, especially moments of hatred, sexual assault, and other terrors that were subjected to many within the black population. Hughes is drawn to communism as a way to respond to the segregated life being created throughout much of the US homeland. Hughes captures generations within the 1920s – 60s who are looking for leadership, a voice, and an escape from the hurt and pain hurled at all levels of the human experience. 860 poems, not a quick read at all, but incorporating a depth of experience and personal story that few if any put in one volume. So many great quotes to reflect upon in the book, some favorites:
"7 x 7 + love = An amount Infinitely above: 7 x 7 - love."
“Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.”
I can only imagine for the people of his time how he caught their exact feeling about the moment and emotion of the time. Take your time reading these highly charged and emotional poems. Either sitting in front of a fireplace, sitting on a rocking chair on a summer’s night, or taken a brief moment after a long day, the words bring you to a time not so long ago where individuals were not treated as such. I hope we have moved somewhat away from those moments in time. Hughes words serve as a reminder to a time and place of raw emotion. Great poet!
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