Dream Variations by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes' Dream Variations conjures the African-American dream: freedom from prejudice, contrasting it with light and dark on this the longest day. Read by Noma Dumezweni.
Langston Hughes' 'Dream Variations' conjures the African-American dream: freedom from prejudice, contrasting it with light and dark on this the longest day. A poignant expression of the poet's wish for a carefree life, moving and dancing until the end of a happy, hot, sunny day. Read by Noma Dumezweni.
The poem is accompanied by the music of jazz trumpeter, Don Ellis: 'Forest' from the album 'Haiku' from 1973. It evokes the dream and the dance between the trees, their light and shade.
Producer: Sarah Addezio.
Last on
Broadcast
- Thu 21 Jun 201816:00BBC Radio 4 FM
Nine Surprising Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice
How the climax of the summer is celebrated around the world.
Nine refreshing ways to celebrate spring
From cheese-rolling to a cherry blossom picnic: celebrating spring around the world.
Autumn oddities: 22 facts about the 'fall'
Celebrating the Autumn equinox with quirky facts about the turn of the season.
Autumn Leaves Quiz
How many trees can you identify from their autumn leaves?
