This poem explores what happens to dreams that are put off or denied through a series of metaphors comparing dreams to physical things that can rot, fester, crust over or explode if left unattended for too long. It suggests dreams deferred do not just disappear but may turn sour or potentially erupt if continually postponed.

1. What happens to a dream deferred?

2. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

3. Or fester like a sore and then run?

4. Does it stink like rotten meat?

5. Maybe it just sags - like a heavy load

6. Or crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet

7. Or does it just explode?