The Dream Keeper and Other Poems

Some of these poems I enjoyed a lot. However, for some reason I missed the fact that this was a collection of poems for children when I requested the book from the library, and so it wasn't quite what I was expecting. There were still some really deep, intense themes here, but in some of them it felt like Hughes had pulled his punches in order to connect with his audience more. I guess I was hoping for more of the poems to hit hard.

That said, I did enjoy most of these at least a little, and some of them a whole lot. The illustrations are also a nice addition. My favorites tended to be on the longer side (compared to the rest of the poems in this volume) but the imagery in even the short poems was stellar.

There’s a child-like simplicity to some of the poems that I found captivating. The poems deal with the challenges in being an African-American—they speak of the joyful as well as painful aspects of living. Themes range from heartbreak, to holding onto dreams despite the burdens we bear as well to the pain of lost dreams. Some are religious in nature and some focus on the beauty of the natural world. One can’t help get the impression that this man, this poet had lived a life of great depth and admire how he was able to fashion something so beautiful from some difficult life experiences. The black and white illustrations that accompany the poem only further enhance what is already a very moving reading experience.

For the record, I’m no poetry expert. When I read collections from poets I’m making an effort to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to enjoy them in the same way a connoisseur of the genre would. There are some poems I love, but as a whole, poetry isn’t something I gravitate towards.

That being said, Hughes is undeniably talented. His poems show a deep pride in his African-American roots and it’s easy to understand why his name has become synonymous with the Harlem Renaissance. He gave a voice to the hopes and fears of generations of black Americans who were fighting against segregation.

I’m not the target audience for his work and so I’m sure some of its impact is lost show more on me. I did love some of the poems, including the title one shown below. Others seemed too simple and slid by me with little effect. I think this collection is a great introduction to his work and I will probably read more from him in the future.

The Dream Keeper

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world. show less

Poetry for children isn't something you normally think of (or at least, I don't), aside from Shel Silverstein and the guy I saw in the mall whose name I don't remember, and it's a bit of a weird concept, I think. Many adults don't even enjoy poetry; I myself don't so much dislike it as just don't know what to do with it. But Langston Hughes's set of poems for young people are certainly enjoyable, especially if read aloud. My favorite was "Minstrel Man", which goes in part:

Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter
And my throat
Is deep with song,
You do not think
I suffer after
I have held my pain
So long?

There's also a nice cycle of poems about the sea and journeys (subtitled Sea Charm) that are very readable in a melancholy sort of way. Brian show more Pinkey's woodcut illustrations are suitably evocative, too. show less

This slim volume contains Langston's Hughes's own selections for a children's volume of his poetry. This is a must have collection. The woodcuts are wonderful, and the selections accessible for children.

Great collection of quality poems from Langston Hughes. Hughes invokes all kinds of emotions through the journey a reader takes in this book as they read gentle children's poetry to powerful poetry on civil rights.

The words of Langston Hughes in this book are gorgeous and poetic and simple. Children can be inspired by the imagery of the African-American experience and it’s importance in what makes up our culture and our society.