fshort wrote: ↑February 10th, 2021, 11:22 pm I didn’t find this in our catalogue.
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Langston Hughes - 1902-1967
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.
This would be a wonderful reading!!
It's not so much poetry as Elevated Prose, but the imagery and pounding of the word "rivers" is captivating.
I hope it succeeds in becoming a Weekly Poetry item. I'll happily enjoy others' readings and even offer my own.