One of the greatest poets of the previous century, unpretentious and poignant. Possessed a social conscience, yet was never overly preachy. His style and his language were often simple, yet the material was often piercing and profound.

simply one of the best poets that really brings out the social expierences and injustices that blacks have face in the pre civil rights era. .His poems are about poverty, reflections of maybe his personal expierences, and aspects in society people do not want to see like the parallels between the nazi and kkk.

The king of the Harlem Renaissance. "Joy" and "Mother to Son" are just two of the many beautiful works Mr. Hughes bestowed on us. His poetry has always inspired and invigorated me and his poetry is something everybody should try to read at least once in their lives.

His poetry is simple, straight forward and gets to the point. Obviously, you have to look at it now from a historical perspestive, as I believe that it pertains to the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, and his poems more than likely provided inspiration to many African Americans during that time.

"Hold fast to your dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." Words I first heard and memorized back in 1968 when I chose the poetry of Langston Hughes for an English class assignment. I have long since forgotten just what that assignment was but I never forgot that Hughes touched a deep part of my soul when I read his simple, honest and direct words.