In Time Of Silver Rain by Langston Hughes

Poem & listening activity

Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Listen and read the poem and discuss the questions that follow.

Langston Hughes - In Time Of Silver Rain por poemhunter

In time of silver rain

The earth puts forth new life again,

Green grasses grow

And flowers lift their heads,

And over all the plain

The wonder spreads

Of Life,

Of Life,

Of life!

In time of silver rain

The butterflies lift silken wings

To catch a rainbow cry,

And trees put forth new leaves to sing

In joy beneath the sky

As down the roadway

Passing boys and girls

Go singing, too,

In time of silver rain When spring

And life

Are new.

Discussion 1.Why do you think the rain referred to in the title of this poem is ‘silver’? 2.How are the boys and girls in the poem described? 3.What elements of nature have human qualities in the poem? 4.What message does Hughes give about change in the poem? 5.How would you summarize the idea of this poem?

Answers here!