Dreams
by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
I chose this poem partly in thanks to a friend. She introduced me to Langston Hughes and I instantly fell in love with his work. He was an African American in the early 1900s. This poem makes me think and let my imagination go. I love to dream and I agree that life is full of dreams and made up of dreams that people work on and make come true. As an African American in the early 1900s Langston was a courageous man to write what he did. He also wrote a lot about equality and freedom, but in a positive, non hateful way. I think he wrote this poem in part to express how he has dreams about being treated equally and living a life he wants.
I have so many dreams and I believe that dreams do represent something. Although I am not always sure of the exact meanings at the time, I do think they have a huge impact on our lives and what we think. Dreams can seem so bizarre and irrational at times that people just laugh and shrug them off. Following one’s dreams and believing in them is what creates reality. I think Langston Hughes knew that and felt the same way. Writing was one of his escapes and I am sure it was only a dream one day and the next he turned it into a reality.
Even though it is a very short poem, it has a very strong and sincere message. If no one has any dreams in life, how can anything new happen? How can anyone be him or herself if they can’t dream or won’t dream? Dreams are the very heart of reality. And believing in them is only the beginning
