7.04.2010

America is Beautiful

And so are Her people.
A poem by one of my favorites: Langston Hughes

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.

(1922)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful. I love being proud of my country. It's one of my favorite feelings.

Justin said...

Would it be inappropriate for me to start a USA! USA! USA! chant after reading a poem?

Nah.

Ashley Blackburn said...

one of my favorite poems and poets. I used to teach his stuff all the time!!

Sarah said...

Amen.