Answer:
tense and unequal.
Explanation:
The excerpt from Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" shows a speaker who feels that the relationship between whites and African Americans is tense and uneven. This is made clear when the dream of equality for African Americans is always postponed, because whites continue to be favored by society. As a result, African Americans are increasingly distant from being treated as equals and this tense and uncomfortable relationship, where their dreams weigh, sink, dry and explode.
The effect of the simile in this passage makes the passage more interesting and gives it that extra "boost" to help the reader understand what is going on.
Hope this helps!
