A Dried Up Dream

     During this past week, I've really thought in depth about dreams. In Langston Hughes' poem, "Harlem", he refers to the dreams of African Americans and what happens if dreams are put aside. He compares this to a raisin drying up in the sun-- it festers, stinks, crusts over, sags, and could even explode. When one forgets, loses, or puts off a dream, it will have a torturing effect like a raisin that dries up and "[stinks] like rotten meat." Although it may seem easier to just give up on a dream, the poem suggests that this action would be a burden on you by saying "it just sags like a heavy load." To some people it may not make sense that a dream that is out of your way is actually quite a burden, but it in fact is because this forgotten dream is holding you back from complete happiness. The last line of the poem says that the deferred dream could explode. This suggests that not pursuing your dreams could negatively affect not only yourself, but many people, just like an explosion. For example, if your dream is to put an end to poverty and you don't even give it a chance, then you're letting down everyone who is in poverty. A dream that isn't pursued makes you one step further from your idea of a perfect life.
     So, is it better to set off a dream and let laziness take over or go after your dreams at risk that they may not end the way you planned? After reading this poem, I am positive the best action to take regarding your dreams is to chase them. If you put off a dream because of the fear that it will end in disappointment, you're not giving your life the chance it deserves. It's important to at least try to achieve your dreams, because you never know where it could lead you.