FIND POEMS
Browse Poems Browse Poets
COMPETING
What It’s Like to Compete Watch Recitation Videos Tips on Reciting
TEACHERS & ORGANIZERS
Teachers and Organizers Lesson Plans Organize a Competition Judging a Competition Download Logos and Graphics NCTE and Common Core Standards
ABOUT
About Us Rules & Eligibility Key Dates: State and National Finals State Contacts Accessibility Competition Winners Photo Galleries

Minstrel Man
By Langston Hughes

Print

Because my mouth 

Is wide with laughter

And my throat

Is deep with song,

You do not think 

I suffer after 

I have held my pain 

So long. 

 

Because my mouth 

Is wide with laughter, 

You do not hear

My inner cry, 

Because my feet 

Are gay with dancing, 

You do not know 

I die. 

Public Domain
Dance
Harlem Renaissance
Reflections on Life

More Poems by Langston Hughes

Aunt Sue’s Stories
Blues Fantasy
Cross
Mother to Son
Song for a Banjo Dance
View All Poems by Langston Hughes

FIND POEMS

Browse Poems
Browse Poets

COMPETING

What It’s Like to Compete
Watch Recitation Videos
Tips on Reciting

TEACHERS & ORGANIZERS

Teachers and Organizers
Lesson Plans
Organize a Competition
Judging a Competition
Download Logos and Graphics
NCTE and Common Core Standards

ABOUT

About Us
Rules & Eligibility
Key Dates: State and National Finals
State Contacts
Accessibility
Competition Winners
Photo Galleries
Report an issue FAQ Contact Us Privacy Policy and Terms of Use