A top 100 list would not be complete without a poem (or two) from Langston Hughes. One of the greatest poets of all time, he is also one of the greatest black poets of all time, and his poetry brings the emotion, pain, culture, and joy of being black in America up front for all people of all races to feel.There will be another Hughes poem in our "Top 100 or so" series, so stay tuned. Enjoy!
Life Is Fine
by Langston Hughes
I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.
I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.
But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.
I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.
But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born
Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
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