As I Grew Older
As I Grew Older - meaning Summary
Dream Blocked by a Wall
The poem traces a personal dream bright as the sun that is gradually blocked by an immense wall. That wall becomes shadow and loss, linked to the speaker’s racial identity. The closing lines shift to urgent action: the speaker calls on his dark hands to break through, shatter the darkness, and restore light and multiple dreams. The poem reflects Hughes’ experiences with racial barriers and the struggle for self-expression and equality.
Read Complete AnalysesIt was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun-- My dream. And then the wall rose, Rose slowly, Slowly, Between me and my dream. Rose until it touched the sky-- The wall. Shadow. I am black. I lie down in the shadow. No longer the light of my dream before me, Above me. Only the thick wall. Only the shadow. My hands! My dark hands! Break through the wall! Find my dream! Help me to shatter this darkness, To smash this night, To break this shadow Into a thousand lights of sun, Into a thousand whirling dreams Of sun!
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