Hold onto dreams
For if dreams die
Life is like a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow
~~ Langston Hughes
As we move into another new year and (re)new(ed) you, let’s take this quote as seriously inspired chow for the soul.
This poem is intended to be hummed as a song would be, but without musical accompaniment. Langston Hughes was a key member of the Harlem Renaissance. This is a crucial part of African-American history that must not be forgotten. Some of you may be familiar with his That Powerful Drop from “Simple Takes A Wife”. Given how he spoke of his father’s disdain for blacks, I wonder about the irony at play with a piece that exemplifies the strength of race as a social construct and cultural tie.
His influence continues as the Langston Hughes Institute in Buffalo, New York plans to rehabilitate buildings in an area that needs revitalization to open a new cultural center in 2013.
Check out other words of encouragement from the series:
I hadn’t realized I had posted this many quotes until compiling them. As always, take what resonates with you and discard the rest. Perhaps if you come back to it, the meaning will work better another time.
Coming in 2012, Inspirational Quotes from: ee cumings, zora neale hurston, ghandi, stephen covey and more!