Three poems by Langston Hughes

Dream Variations

To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, 

To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. 

Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree

 While night comes on gently,

 Dark like me— That is my dream!

 To fling my arms wide

 In the face of the sun, Dance! 

Whirl! Whirl!

 Till the quick day is done. 

Rest at pale evening . . . 

A tall, slim tree . . .

 Night coming tenderly

Life is Fine 

I went down to the river, 

I set down on the bank.

 I tried to think but couldn't, 

So I jumped in and sank.

 I came up once and hollered!

 I came up twice and cried!

 If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died.

 But it was Cold in that water!

 It was cold!

 I took the elevator 

Sixteen floors above the ground.

 I thought about my baby

 And thought I would jump down.

 I stood there and I hollered!

 I stood there and I cried! If it hadn't a-been so high

 I might've jumped and died.

 But it was High up there! It was high! 

 So since I'm still here livin', 

I guess I will live on. 

I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born 

Though you may hear me holler, 

And you may see me cry—

 I'll be dogged, sweet baby,

 If you gonna see me die.

 Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!