Poem 6

Dream Variations

To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me--
That is my dream!

To fling my arms wide
In the face of the shun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Res at pale evening...
A tall, slim tree...
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.

~Langston Hughes

This has long been one my favorite poems by Hughes. I always hear it to the tune of "Simple Gifts."