This collection and Langston Hughes took me out of my comfort zone, as far as American Poets. I am grateful it was required reading for my literature class. His mesmerizing words gave me insight into a world other than my own. ( )

"Let us take a knife / and cut the world in two- / and see what worms / are eating at the rind"

There are many reasons that Langston Hughes is one of the finest writers in American history. He is an exemplar of power and even nuance within simplicity. He was criticized for writing "easy" poems simply because he didn't sound like the other highly educated (primarily white) poets of his time. To this today he is criticized for that, and called a communist radical for being an anti-capitalist in the early 1900s.

Don't listen to the critics. And don't coast off of Hughes's reputation: perhaps you've heard of his Dream Deferred poem, but that's not enough. Truly dig into his writing, and you will find an incredible collection of musings on the American experience of oppression, imbued with bitter patriotism and pained love for community. Hughes is a titan, who dominated his era and stands as possibly the greatest artist of the Harlem Renaissance era (which is saying something, given how much great art we got from that period).

One of the most fundamental struggles of analyzing American history is defining what America is. Is it the system that marginalized and killed so many? Or is it the masses of people who were marginalized and killed by it, fighting for something better? In other words, is America the institution of slavery, or is it the slaves themselves, who fought to be part of American society? Langston Hughes would tell you the latter, as he fought for black writers to be accepted into the literary canon. He succeeded. Langston Hughes is one of the peaks of American literature, and should be treated as such.

This collection is a goliath, there is no reason to read it cover to cover. But if you enjoy reading, pick it up, and every once and a while read through a few pages. There's enough genius here to last a lifetime. ( )

Simply amazing. The poet grows before your eyes. From simple poems to lynchings, to communism, to the realization that democracy and Jim Crow should not have anything in common. A powerful and moving voice. ( )

Wow, are these good! All I knew of him was "The Dream Deferred," so this was an eye-opener. Lots of lovely, lyrical poems that are full of music and sadness. I don't like paperbacks so I got it with the library binding--it seems sturdy enough. ( )

Summary:
"Hold Fast to Dreams" is a poem about how important dreams are and why we should never let them go.

Personal reaction:
This has always been my favorite poem. It taught me to keep dreams alive.

Classroom extension ideas:
1. Research African American poets.
2. Share other figures from the Harlem Renassiance