Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DRUM by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES

Poet Analysis

First Line: BEAR IN MIND / THAT DEATH IS A DRUM
Last Line: Calling life / to come! / come! / come!
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS; DEATH; NEGROES; AMERICAN BLACKS; DEAD, THE;
Bear in mind
That death is a drum
Beating forever
Till the last worms come
To answer its call,
Till the last stars fall,
Until the last atom
Is no atom at all,
Until time is lost
And there is no air
And space itself
Is nothing nowhere,
Death is a drum,
A signal drum,
Calling life
To come!
Come!
Come!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net