Yosvani Oliva

Translation of the famous Langston Hughes poem, Harlem. Poetry is probably the hardest literary form to translate. Read and watch how I was able to not only capture the meaning of the poem, but also observed the patter of the rhyme. What happens to a dream deferred? ¿Qué le sucede a un sueño postergado? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? ¿Se seca como una pasa al sol? ¿O como llaga, infecta de humor— y luego, supuración? ¿Apesta cual carne podrida? ¿O se vuelve costra y endulza— como el almíbar? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Talvez pandea cual peso que estorba. Or does it explode? ¿O acaso explota?