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After exploring poems of the Harlem Renaissance, I chose "In Time of Silver Rain" written by Langston Hughes. I enjoyed reading this poem because the poet's description of rain and how it gives birth to new life was very vivid. I especially liked the line, "The butterflies lift silken wings To catch a rainbow cry." I liked how in this line (and others) Hughes used non-living things and gave them human characteristics. Finally, the poem was positive, and I appreciated that the poet discussed how the rains of spring give way to new life. Because the Harlem Renaissance was a rebirth for African Americans, this composition is symbolic of that.

In "To One Coming North" by Claude McKay it gives the idea that winter is harsh and dark and that spring is revival or rebirth do the year. In "Time Of Silver Rain" by Langston Hughes, it gives the idea that rain is the revival or rebirth of a new life that is vivid and colorful.

This poem was similar to "To One Coming North" by Claude McKay because they both shared the same message of rebirth. In both poems, spring was described as joyous and thought to bring hope. The spring was like a light at the end of a dark tunnel; the season made the difficult times worth it. Comment by Molly J and Katelyn M

I like this poem because Langston Hughes is standing up for himself and talking more about equality. He sends a really strong message with just short and simple words.

In the poem "I, Too" By Langston Hughes he brings a real positive message about America saying how "I, Too am America." And how everyone is equal and everyone is America. He also says how he is the darker brother but how he also sings America. "I, Too Sing America." He brings this message about how everyone sings and is America no matter how they look. The poem that is more negative torwards America is "America" by Claud McKay. Claud starts off "Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess." Claud is referring she to America, and how she does all this to him. He describes all the harsh things Claud has witnessed. He also talks how he feels about America and how he is scared almost. "I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer." Claud and Langstons poems have very different views in their poems. One is scared of America, and one feels he is America.

After reading poems written by Claude McKay and Langston Hughes, I observed a sense of emotion toward America. In some, for example, the poet's tone was harsh and grim. But in others, there was a feeling of hope and revival. The two poems I have chosen to discuss were written by people with very different beliefs of America, and we can see their opposite feelings through the writing they compose. In "I, Too", Langston Hughes wrote positively about the "tomorrow" of America. He described how he, as the darker brother, was always put in the kitchen when company came. And although throughout the poem Hughes talked about the inequality of America, he never seemed to give up hope. He wrote that he ate well and grew stronger because he had faith that one day he would be able to dine at the table when company came, "They'll see how beautiful I am." While "I, Too" is uplifting and exhibits trust in American equality, other poets portrayed their feelings in a more bitter way. Claude McKay, for instance, wrote in "Enslaved", "My heart grows sick with hate, becomes as lead/ For this my race that has no home on earth." As you can see, McKay's words have a harsher edge to them. Throughout the poem, he continued to write boldly and with a strong hate of America's injustice. Although Hughes and McKay had different ways of presenting their hopes, we, as readers, could identify the goal they both wished to portray: freedom and equality in America.