"Harlem (Dream Deferred)"

a dream that is put off

a dream that you need support to accomplish

a dream that doesn't come true

a dream that you have to do by yourself

to get worse

to shrink

to rot

to heal

hyperbole

metaphor

alliteration

simile

A dream that is deferred makes you more motivated.

A dream that is deferred has violent consequences.

A dream that is deferred makes you feel empty inside.

A dream that is deferred eventually fades away.

Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or does it explode?

He starts with this line as the first possible answer.

He asks it as a question.

He uses a simile to show the importance of this line.

He ends with this line by putting it as its own stanza and putting it in italics.

Dreams come in all shapes and sizes.

There are negative consequences when dreams are put on hold.

It is a mystery what happens when dreams are not pursued.

Dreams are dangerous and should be avoided.

"What happens to a dream deferred"?

"Raisin in the sun"

"Stink," "rotten," "fester," "explode"

"sugar," "sweet"

A nightmare

A good dream

A dream you have for the future

A daydream