While I enjoy a complicated poem that makes me think and stretches my imagination, I prefer simple poems written in simple language. Those are the kinds of poems I write and the ones I prefer to read.

My favorite poet is Langston Hughes. I intend to write an article for my main web site and several posts on the blog about his poetry. The poem below is my favorite poem. According to The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes edited by Arnold Rampersad and David Roessel, it is one of his earlier poems written sometime between 1921 and 1930. As far as I know, this is the most complete collection of his poems available.

Dreams

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.

Langston Hughes
1902-1967