The poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes asks the question, "What happens to a dream deferred?"). The poem provides several possible answers to this question, including:
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Drying up: The dream may dry up like a raisin in the sun.
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Festering: The dream may fester like a sore and then run.
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Stinking: The dream may stink like rotten meat.
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Crusting over: The dream may crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet.
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Sagging: The dream may just sag like a heavy load.
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Exploding: The dream may explode.
The poem is often interpreted as a commentary on the African-American experience, and the frustration and disappointment that can come from unfulfilled dreams).
