Today, this year

      Nor ever

Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

      To stand

On my two feet

And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say,

"Let things take their course.

Tomorrow is another day."

I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.

I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

      Freedom

      Is a strong seed

      Planted

      In a great need.

      I live here, too.

      I want freedom

      Just as you.

• compromise--this word means that you must give up something to come to an agreement
• "let things take their course"--this phrase is a figure of speech which means that you will not do anything to interfere with what is happening to make a change. The idea is that "things" will naturally change over time. People who are not being treated unfairly are famous for telling people who are being treated unfairly to wait and "let things take their course."
• "I do not need my freedom when I'm dead"--if a person agrees to wait and "let things take their course" they may never get to enjoy freedom during his/her lifetime. Langston Hughes wanted his freedom during his lifetime.
• "freedom" is compared to "a strong seed"--this is a metaphor. Freedom is not really a seed, but it can behave like a seed.