Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Negro Speaks of Rivers




Ive 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.

Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is one of his most famous poems. Keeping it within the context of the life of the African American gives a certain meaning, but placing it within the context of your life and mine; meanings may differ...here is my take.
When I consider all of the images that are given within this poem, what I see is nothing but a journey. Hughes says that he bathed in the Euphrates, built a hut near the Congo, and looked upon the Nile. Every river that is mentioned can be a representation of a particular moment in ones life. Think about it. Graduating from high school and/or college is a major part of someones life; burying a parent, getting married, and having your first child is a pivital point in everyones life.
Hughes says that his soul has grown deep like the rivers. Consider this: When we are born, our soul is nothing but a trench, waiting to be filled with the experiences that life will confront us with. The more you encounter, the deeper you soul becomes.
Your soul might not be deep as a river just yet, but as the old folks say, "honey, just keep on livin'."

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