The Dream Still Lives
A dream is not just something you envision when you sleep. A dream is a wish that can come true. A dream is a goal that can only happen through action.
Langston Hughes wrote a poem titled Harlem:
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?
The premiere of Galaxy by Anthony Barfield has such a powerful message. An entire composition that is based on a poem that was written with a hidden message inside. Langston Hughes was an American poet that struggled in life due to the severe problem before and after The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The dream of Racial Equality still lives!
Langston Hughes wrote a poem that asks the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” A question that is followed by questions. If I were to answer the first question that the poem starts with, I would say that a dream deferred may die. I know that pushing my dreams to the side does nothing but disintegrate that dream slowly as time passes by.
I can have the intention to move, but I will not be going anywhere without actually moving. There goes the same with a dream. If I only have an intention, nothing will happen. Once the intention fades away, with still no action, then there is no chance of anything happening.
Everyone has a dream, but the saddest thing to witness is that dream die. Once a dream dies and fades away, it could be gone forever since there will no longer be hope.
Langston Hughes was an African-American poet that came from a long line of enslaved relatives. The musical art of Jazz was key to his career.
The hidden message of the poem Harlem, was revolved around Racial Injustice.
The dream referred to in the poem could be of many dreams an African-American could think of. A dream for equality, a better opportunity, a better life, or even a normal life. A dream to walk through the streets without the constant fear of being attacked for his skin color. A dream of going to a store where essential supplies are “in-stock” and not just “out because they aren’t allowed to have it.” A dream where good education was offered for people of colored skin.
There were many dreams Langston Hughes could have had, but I wonder how many of them were deferred because of the color of his skin.
The end of the poem states, “Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?”
Is he referring to the dream he may have when he mentions “explode,” or is it himself? Having a million dreams where none of them are coming true can be a cruel thing. Having to live that life could be terrible. It states, “explode,” but I read, “life collapsing.”
Anthony Barfield is an incredible composer that decided to bring the meaning of Harlem to life.
The sad message that lies in this poem is brought to life through the power of music.
The brass quintet started the piece with such intensity. The feeling of not being able to do anything about the life you live. Having no power over your happiness because of the control others have over it.
The sounds of hope coming from the trumpets, while the remembrance of the pain is played with the low brass.
The destruction of humanity because of racism, while having a single remembrance of hope be the last chord of the piece.
Listening to this premiere touched my heart. The difficulties of life can be overwhelming.
I know that Langston Hughes’s dream still lives. Many people dream the same thing as the world gets better and realizes the love needed to be spread around.
Many may say the world is blind, but I know that a good pair of glasses can bring back sight. As we continue to dream and hope for a better world, it will happen. Composers, like Anthony Barfield, have taken action through their music. We all need to find our way of spreading the message of necessary love to everyone.
#mus130b
#TheDreamStillLives
