Harlem BY LANGSTON HUGHES
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Question: In this poem about the African American experience during the first half of the 20th century, explain what symbol is being used. What does it represent?

Or does it explode?