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Langston Hughes(1902–1967)

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