The Negro Speaks Of Rivers Poem by Langston Hughes

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

Rating: 3.5


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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Corey Trotter 13 December 2007

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

38 28 Reply
Michael Whitt 09 December 2005

no words for this poem. It's simply beautiful

34 27 Reply
Michael Walker 25 July 2019

I have always loved 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers', even though Hughes evidently wrote it in a very short time on a table napkin. ' I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln/ Went down to New Orleans'. A dazzling line.

1 0 Reply
Seema Jayaraman 29 September 2015

I especially liked the lines I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. makes me reflect on how ancient life and life's challenges are..it inspires me to write on the rivers I have touched in my life.

18 16 Reply
Kelly Kelley 13 January 2014

My history teacher read this poem to the class when we were learning about to roaring 20's and the Harlem Renaissance, & it was so powerful, it made me think about what blacks had to do to get to where they are today!

39 19 Reply
William Schulte 31 January 2013

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

49 25 Reply
Elena Alley 20 January 2009

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!

56 28 Reply
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