(1 February 1902 – 22 May 1967 / Missouri)

poet Langston Hughes
#7 on top 500 poets
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( 159 votes )
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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.

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003


Read poems about / on: sunset, sleep, world, river

Comments about this poem (The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes )

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  • William Schulte (1/31/2013 1:32:00 AM)

    I passed by the Langston Hughes center in Seattle but this poem made it special.

    4 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Elena Alley (1/20/2009 11:55:00 PM)

    I think this poem says it all. It eludes to the beginning of time, the trials, and now. It captures the cohesion we all have now regardless of race. 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' has always been my favorite poem. I Just Love it! ! ! ! BTW, I am Navajo/Hispanic, but I heard it for the first time in college, that is when I fell in love with it. I hope you love it like I do!

    20 person liked.
    		13 person did not like.
  • Corey Trotter (12/13/2007 9:42:00 PM)

    this poem says alot about those he came across and learn from, it's very deep

    11 person liked.
    		16 person did not like.
  • Michael Whitt (12/9/2005 3:22:00 PM)

    no words for this poem. It's simply beautiful

    14 person liked.
    		14 person did not like.
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