Gianna V illuminate "As I Grew Older"

As I Grew Older

It was a long time ago.- This is a hyperbole because being young is not that long ago compared to a century or                                                                                                                                                                                                                 two.

I have almost forgotten my dream.

But it was there then,

In front of me,

Bright like a sun—  - This is a simile because it compares two things using like or as.

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! 

Langston Hughes

     This poem to you might seem straight forward, but to me it has a deeper meaning. I think Hughes is saying that his dream he had as a child, he has almost forgotten. His dream was for whites and blacks to be equal. He has almost forgotten his dream because he thought it might never happen. The wall represents the people who don't want this to happen. He is more than just a shadow, he will become strong and important to this country and not just some African american worker. Hughes wants us to break through the wall, rebel, march, and protest against African Americans not having rights. Shatter the wall, the leaders of the movements will help us through it. If we break down and remove this wall, everyone will be equal. African Americans will be successful. They will get educated and have high class jobs that were only given to whites before. They might even become the President, and impact greatly on this country.