Langston Hughes

Born in Joplin, Mississippi on February 1, 1902, Langston Hughes became interested in writing poetry at a young age. His passion for writing was deemed as an unrealistic career by his father who instead paid for Hughes to attend Columbia University in order to study Engineering. Eventually after a year, Hughes dropped out and focused mainly on a career path as a poet. His first and most popular poem titled, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," was published shortly afterwards.


In 1924, Hughes moved to Harlem, New York during the time period known as the Harlem Renaissance. This was a time in which African-American music-jazz music, art, and literature were flourishing in Harlem. As the African-American culture was redefining, a new rhythm in Hughes writings were also emerging. In 1926 Hughes first book of poetry called, The Weary Blues was published.

One of my favorite poems by Langston Hughes is Harlem Sweeties. The imagery of the women that Hughes describes is so powerful and creative. Overall the poem has an intriguing rhythmic feeling to it that immediately captures the attention off all readers. To demonstrate a way in which I view the poem as being "song-like" I wanted to post a video of my boyfriend TJ Starks reciting Harlem Sweeties in his own style. Here is his interpretation. enjoy! =]

Harlem Sweeties
by Langston Hughes

Have you dug the spill
Of Sugar Hill?
Cast your gims
On this sepia thrill:
Brown sugar lassie,
Caramel treat,
Honey-gold baby
Sweet enough to eat.
Peach-skinned girlie,
Coffee and cream,
Chocolate darling
Out of a dream.
Walnut tinted
Or cocoa brown,
Pomegranate-lipped
Pride of the town.
Rich cream-colored
To plum-tinted black,
Feminine sweetness
In Harlem’s no lack.
Glow of the quince
To blush of the rose.
Persimmon bronze
To cinnamon toes.
Blackberry cordial,
Virginia Dare wine—
All those sweet colors
Flavor Harlem of mine!
Walnut or cocoa,
Let me repeat:
Caramel, brown sugar,
A chocolate treat.
Molasses taffy,
Coffee and cream,
Licorice, clove, cinnamon
To a honey-brown dream.
Ginger, wine-gold,
Persimmon, blackberry,
All through the spectrum
Harlem girls vary—
So if you want to know beauty’s
Rainbow-sweet thrill,
Stroll down luscious,
Delicious, fine Sugar Hill.




complete biography on Langston Hughes available at http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html