在美國的流亡者

    有這樣的詞語例如自由

    悅耳動聽甜美。

    在我的心弦上自由歌唱

    一天又復一天。

    有這樣的詞語例如自由

    它幾乎使我哭泣。

    如果你瞭解我的經歷

    你將知道原因。

      哈  萊  姆

    推遲的夢會發生什麼事?

    它會乾癟嗎

    像陽光下的葡萄乾?

    或像瘡舲化膿──

    然後蔓延?

    它像腐肉般發臭?

    或是裹著麵包皮和糖──

    像果汁甜點?

    也許它只是墜下

    如沈重的負擔。

    或者它突然爆炸?

Refugee in America

There are words like Freedom
Sweet and wonderful to say.
On my heart-strings freedom sings
All day everyday.

There are words like Liberty
That almost make me cry'.
If you had known what I knew
You would know why.

Harlem

What happens to a dream deferred?
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?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?