Langston Hughes was an American poet and social activist of the twentieth century. He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance and an innovator of a literary art form called "jazz poetry." Here is a very short poem of his that looks unflinchingly at the state of his world and, in its own way, is a succinct call to action to change things. Somehow it seems quite fitting for our time as well. (And, yes, I think I know those worms that are "eating at the rind.")
by Langston Hughes
I am so tired of waiting,
Aren't you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
Let us take a knife
And cut the world in two-
And see what worms are eating
At the rind.
I am so tired of waiting,
Aren't you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
Let us take a knife
And cut the world in two-
And see what worms are eating
At the rind.
Thank you for this, for these . . . it means a lot to know there is a community who simply want a better rather than worse status quo these days. We are here.
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate my online community of friends.
DeleteSuch an apt poem for our times.
ReplyDeleteIt reached out to me when I was searching for a poem to feature this week and I thought, "Yes, here it is."
DeleteIt really does speak to the times. Collectively, we never seem to muster the will to get rid of those worms.
ReplyDeleteWe are perhaps too comfortable in our inaction, waiting for someone else to do it.
DeleteI love this! Hughes has such a way with words. I love his poetry. :D
ReplyDeleteHe says so much with just a few words.
DeleteWhat an apt poem for our times. I'm so very tired of waiting for the U.S. to elect a progressive woman president. We blew it again. The worms will eat the rind of the country for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think we have to admit that, in some ways, we are a very backward country. After all, our neighbor, Mexico, just managed to elect a woman.
DeleteSadly, those worms are finding it easy to pop up everywhere and say whatever they think. It's so hard to know how to move forward from here, but slowly I seem to be finding my way.
ReplyDeleteIt is beyond depressing but you are right - we must find a way to move forward in spite of everything.
DeleteHistory does rhyme, doesn't it. We will find our way, but it might just get worse before we do. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteAnd the same to you, Alana. There is always much to be thankful for.
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