The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes, (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best-known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the Harlem Renaissance saying that “Harlem was in vogue.”
I’m immediately overcome with the mellowness in Hughes slow drawl reciting to the tune of the slow weary blues. Video compliments poem and illustrates it–doesn’t try to go off and be its own entity like so much ‘poetry art’.
There’s something incredibly uplifting, ironically, from hearing blues and these type poems–it’s a spiritual testament of our individual difficulties that are at once made shared–we’re all in this together!
Another thing about Hughes’ poetry that i’ve always enjoyed is that its readability despite the time difference–its so vernacular and plainspoken and working class/simple folk yet imaginatively poetic and inspiring.
I love the little bio on him too–that’s good stuff.