My Poem for American Literature

There were two poems in particular that we read from Langston Hughes that really stuck out in my mind, Mother to Son and Theme for English B.  Here's my effort at writing a poem, similar to Hughes's Theme for English B, to honor Langston Hughes.  I apologize for the suffering you're about to endure.

The professor said,,

            Go home and read

            some poetry tonight

            And let that poetry evade your mind

            Then, ask a question of some kind.

I wonder if I will like Hughes?

I am nineteen, American, born in Arizona.

I went to school here in Sioux Falls,

to this college on flat green lands in northern America.

I am the youngest person in my class.

The steps from the library lead to a sidewalk,

past many large trees and two buildings

22nd St. and Menlo is the corner where my building lies,

where I walk up a flight of stairs,

"up to my room", where I "sit down, and write this..." poem:

"It's not easy to know what is true for you or me"

at nineteen, "my age.  But I guess I'm..." not that different

I hear and feel and see the same poem, Theme for English B, as you.

we read it, listen to it--Langston Hughes--we all read his poetry.

(We discuss it in the library) Me--the class.

"Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love."

I would like to continue reading Hughes.

I like a good book as a Christmas gift,

or perhaps no homework.

I guess being American means I am free

to like the same things as other folks.

My poem has no smart, honest words,

But will simply be me, attempting to write poetry.

It will also be a part of you, classmates/professor

Because we all read Hughes one night.

Your a part of me, and I a part of you

because we shared this poem.

That's American literature.

Sometimes we don't like this class

But more often than not we do

We're students, "that's true!"

As we learn from our professor

We learn from Hughes

That life is never a crystal stair

and we must not fall but keep on going.

Because then we'll all be free (from school).

That's my poem for American literature.

I hope you enjoyed my poem.  It was quite an effort.  To put it simply, I really enjoyed Langston Hughes and look forward to continue reading more poetry from him in the future.