A Dream Deferred

A Dream Deferred - Langston Hughes

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?

I remember reading this poem at P.S. 160 in the 3rd grade and really hating the imagery it created. Who wants to picture dried up raisins and rotten meat??!? But later on it began to take on a whole new meaning to me and I said I loved Langston Hughes! There were a lot of deaths around me in high school and college. All these young people who tragically died, forced me to reflect on how short life was. I mean, we say it all the time, but do people really heed to what that means? Probably not. I think about how limited our time is here and how there is no time to waste putting off our dreams. When I was a really young, I chucked a lot up to being "young and reckless". I figured if that's how I made it to "adulthood"... I'd be good. I was wrong... and I realized it as time passed. Lots happened and lots of lessons were learned. Even still.

Another friend of mine, Fabian, lost his life in Feb 2007 to AIDS after 10 years. I spent every Wednesday night with him during his last months and it was extremely rewarding on both ends. His passing "always" reminds me that being young and reckless "just to get by" is not the way to go! I'm not invincible and neither are my friends and just because you think you live a "safe" life, doesn't guarantee that you'll be "saved" or that time will remain on YOUR side...

I spoke to a friend from school yesterday. He and I used to do spoken word together back in St. John's and we were each other's inspiration at times. So when we spoke, we chatted about our "current doings". He said he's working some random job that has nothing to do with his major and I mentioned the irony in that. He replied "Mel , we all can't have our dream job, like we kids in school think…you don't just get to jump right into what you wanna do in the real world!" I was turned off by his statement because I could feel his bitterness. I wondered, how did that happen? Everyone has dreams. No, you don't easily just land in them but what happened to preserverence? The only difference is some people decide to follow no matter what, and others let things get in the way.

Dreams, much like this poem states, need to be nurtured. They need to be fed, cradled and attended to with care and passion. They need to be fought for and held onto at all costs. It's sad when a person gets blinded and without much fight or dignity... just lets it all go! well, I'll be damned...