Langston Hughes(1902–1967)

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

(To W.E.B. Du Bois)2

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, 3 and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all goldei

in the sunset.

I've known rivers:

Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.