Pick of the Week- Panther and the Lash

is The Panther and the Lash by Langston Hughes. This is a collection of poems from the legendary Harlem Renaissance poet. These poems were written later in his career around the time of the Civil Rights Movement. These poems are an entry into the mind and emotion of Hughes during this tumultuous time. Here is one of the poems from this collection titled, "Harlem (What happens to a dream deferred?)"

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?

Written in 1951, this poem proved remarkably prophetic. Check out this book for more insights into an important era in United States History.