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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I've known rivers Last Line: My soul has grown deep like the rivers. Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BLACK WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FOREDOOM by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON I MUST BECOME A MENACE TO MY ENEMIES by JUNE JORDAN A SONG FOR SOWETO by JUNE JORDAN ON THE LOSS OF ENERGY (AND OTHER THINGS) by JUNE JORDAN POEM ABOUT POLICE VIOLENCE by JUNE JORDAN DRAFT OF A RAP FOR WEN HO LEE by JUNE JORDAN THE NIGHT THAT LORCA COMES by BOB KAUFMAN THE MYSTIC RIVER by GALWAY KINNELL BOUND NO'TH BLUES by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES |
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