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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: I'VE KNOWN RIVERS
Last Line: MY SOUL HAS GROWN DEEP LIKE THE RIVERS.
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS - HISTORY; HOLIDAYS; NEW YEAR; RACISM; RIVERS; TIME; BLACK HERITAGE; RACIAL PREJUDICE; BIGOTRY;

I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.




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