The Negro Speaks Of Rivers - A poem by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes - The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

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.

Added: on February 18th, 2009 at 6:36 PM | Viewed: 53598 times | Comments and analysis of The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes Comments (30)

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers - Comments and Information
Poet: Langston Hughes (Langston Hughes Art) Poem: The Negro Speaks Of Rivers Poem of the Day: Oct 19 2005 Comment 30 of 30, added on November 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 AM. Hughes was an outstanding writer. The metaphors that he uses in this poem bring such a profound connection to the past. Its just so moving! Even though this poem was one of the first that written by him I think that it was the most inspiring in that it has the ablitiy to captivate and spark a readers imagination and emotions! Monique Johnson from United States Comment 29 of 30, added on April 7th, 2009 at 8:43 PM. i think this poem is marvelous hughes does a fabulous job of showing how all people are connected by the speaker saying he bathed in the euphrates he is saying he was there in the beginning of time and this poem touches the heart because even though we may look different we are all the same people related by blood and by god .. Shelley from United States Comment 28 of 30, added on February 18th, 2009 at 6:36 PM. I think the this poem is talking how how wfrican american's had to sturggle. I think he means that he was a slave and was on a slave boat and he had seen and have been acrossed many river's. It mean's thet he ha travled in many river's all over the world.i think it is about the places ha have been every since he was young untill he got older. Tanisha from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Negro Speaks Of Rivers, has received 30 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Langston Hughes with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Langston Hughes Poem: The Negro Speaks Of Rivers Last read: Nov 7 2009, 11:40AM Poem of the Day: Oct 19 2005 Viewed 53598 times. Added on February 18th, 2009 at 6:36 PM.

Hughes Info
Biography More Poems (29 poems) Books