What happens to a dream deferred?

Langston Hughes (center) with Republican forces in Spain ca 1937


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?

--Langston Hughes